The history of the Tairona (or Tayrona) began around 2,000 years ago in the northeast corner of Colombia. A major part of their territory is now known as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Human activity in the region can be traced back around 6,000 years.

As a lapidary myself I have an understanding of how difficult it would be to make beads like this today with the stone cutting technology we have at our disposal. I am at a lose to answer the first question people ask when seeing one of these beads the first time “how did they drill the hole”.

The longest bead in this image is 4 5/16 inches 110.63 mm long.

Enjoy ........ Danny