Fishing hooks made from gold

[EKG]

Fishing hooks made from gold
These and the additional items were discovered in 2003 on my former Ecuadorian property.
They were given to the local authorities and yes i still got the paperwork.
The fishing hooks typically weigh between 0.3 and 0.4 grams, although some have been observed to weigh as much as 5 grams.

 

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[CreekSide]

So all the gold colored hooks I grew up with were gold?

 

[EKG]

So all the gold colored hooks I grew up with were gold?

yes they are all gold

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/precolumbian-solid-gold-fishing-hooks-from-the-rivers-of-south-america--556053885235313073/

 

[CreekSide]

yes they are all gold

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/precolumbian-solid-gold-fishing-hooks-from-the-rivers-of-south-america--556053885235313073/

I need to look in my old tackle box from my childhood

 

[HistoryTeacher]

Those are really fascinating. They had enough gold to simply make them into everyday objects! I never would have imagined. Learn something new everyday on this site.
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/320330

 

[tamrock]

This is new to me. I could see these indigenous people making hooks from a native metal that would be easy to fashion into a fish hook. Eating was very important to these people. More so that having gold to just sit around and covet.

 

[TreaShore]

Very cool. I wouldn't mind accidentally stepping on one of those in the sand/mud.

 

[TORRERO]

Gold being as soft as it is, wouldn't the fishhooks just bend out when a fish is on a line ? It doesn't take much strength to bend 24k gold..

 

[TORRERO]

This is new to me. I could see these indigenous people making hooks from a native metal that would be easy to fashion into a fish hook. Eating was very important to these people. More so that having gold to just sit around and covet.

Realistically, what other metals did they have ? I'm not aware that they used bronze or copper or iron in South America .. Just a thought..

 

[TreaShore]

Gold being as soft as it is, wouldn't the fishhooks just bend out when a fish is on a line ? It doesn't take much strength to bend 24k gold..

My guess is it was for smaller fish. While you are right about gold being soft with respect to other metals, it all has to do with force exerted on it. Just a little bit of pressure from human hands is actually a good bit of force. Now a small fish exerting all of it's strength is another story. I don't know the exact science, but I'm sure the design of the bend and gap to the point helps distribute force and negates leverage the fish might have in the water.

Also, technique of the fisherman probably plays a big role. Reaction time from the bite to the pull and the amount of force exerted by the fisherman to set the hook is important. No need to apply more than is needed. What I would wonder is the strength of the line that they made. No monofilament back then. hahaha