Silver Mining and Society in Colonial Mexico, Zacatecas 1546–1700 (Cambridge Latin American Studies, Series Number 15) - Softcover

Bakewell, P. J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521523125 ISBN 13: 9780521523127

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

An examination of silver mining and society in Colonial Mexico in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, concentrating upon Zacatecas, the centre of the principal silver-mining region. In the first half of the book, the author describes the discovery of the mines, the establishment of the town, its role in the northward advance of the Spanish occupation of Mexico, its administration, and the sources of its supplies of essential food and materials. The remainder of the book is devoted to an analysis of the mining industry of the Zacatecas district. The author discusses techniques, labour and raw materials. He also provides statistics for silver production, suggesting reasons for their fluctuation, and explores sources of capital for the industry. Based on detailed study of archives in both Spain and Mexico, Dr Bakewell is able to provide an entirely new chronology for the development of Zacatecas and the Mexican maining industry up to 1700.

About this title

Book Description

This is a study of the development of Zacatecas, the centre of the principal silver-mining region in colonial Mexico. The first half of the book describes the discovery of the mines and the establishment and growth of the town. The rest of the book is devoted to a detailed analysis of the mining industry of the Zacatecas district.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521523125
• ISBN 13: 9780521523127
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 316