Sinú

The tropical plains of the Caribbean in the north of Colombia are areas of lakes, estuaries and savannahs, with a varied fauna. The Zenús had been expanding since the 8th century BC in the basins of the rivers Sinú, San Jorge, Cauca and Nechi. At their peak their territory was divided into three provinces with complementary economic functions: production of edible tubers, various manufactures and the exploitation of native gold. Their chiefs, all members of a single lineage, controlled the large-scale distribution of products.

In the swampy regions of the lower San Jorge they practised hydraulic engineering through a system of artificial canals covering 500,000 hectares. A large population settled along the rivers in isolated dwellings or villages constructed on artificial platforms. Towards AD 1000 the population decreased markedly. Certain groups surviving on the river Sinú until the conquest told the Europeans about the days of the Great Zenú.

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