It wasn't "covered in gold"…it's made of copper. Copper is light brown. Copper patinas (turns green) when exposed to the elements–well, water at least. It took several years from what I recall. Recall reading, not viewing first hand, kek.
much kekness.
So was it? Was there some spiritual aungle for (them)? Was there some tech angle? This yet another thing we've been deceived about?