A recent study has confirmed that green stones buried with ancient Panamanian chiefs are Colombian emeralds, marking the first scientific validation of their identity. The emeralds were found in elite burial sites, El Caño and Sitio Conte, which date back to between AD 800 and 1000. Researchers utilized non-destructive techniques such as X-ray fluorescence and infrared spectroscopy to analyze five stones, revealing they originated from Colombia's Western and Eastern Emerald Belts. These emeralds traveled over 700 km through intricate trade networks, likely via a 'down-the-line' exchange system. Some stones exhibited signs of local craftsmanship, suggesting they were valued in Coclé society for both their symbolic and political significance. However, by AD 1000, these emeralds and other luxury items vanished from the region, possibly indicating a decline in the trading power of the Coclé chiefdoms. The study opens avenues for future research into the specific trade routes that facilitated this exchange.