This style of jewelry was discovered in Magdalena, Colombia in a cave which was believed to be a tomb. There were several other designs similar to this piece which all can be seen in the Museum of Gold in Bogota. To this date no other sites have contained these pieces of jewelry.
Many archaeologists believe these were anthropomorphic designs based upon many of the animal species that were prevalent in Pre-Colombian Society. In the Tolima period, many designs were based upon water and fishing nets. While the Quimbaya were making jewelry designs based upon animal behaviors which they believed has supernatural powers.
Ancient Astronaut theorists maintain they were copies of the alien aircraft that flew in pre-Colombian days.
In recent years a scale model of this style of pin was created to see if it would fly and it the test was successful.