Explorations
One of the major motives for explorations out of Europe was the search for gold. The destination for the voyages of Columbus, the discoverer of America, was first western Africa, but later, when the rumous of the riches of China reached Columbus, he decided to find a sea route to China around the globe. He never made it to China but gold he did find, indeed.
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Indians of South America were acquainted with gold and the skill and works of their goldsmiths are well known even today. After the discovery of Amarica, large amounts of gold was transported from Peru and Mexico to Europe. This created the myth about ”El Dorado”. The largest nugget from the Callahuaya mines is said to have equalled the size of human head. This nugget sunk with the vessel carrying it en route to Spain.