Timeline of Potosi by Jia Tipnis

1545 - Diego Gualpa discovers silver on the Cerro Rico

jiatipnis27 — 2024-05-09 22:25:22 UTC

In 1545, people began to settle in Potosi, a place that became the world's largest and richest silver mine. When Diego Gualpa discovered the silver, he became rich and Potosi rapidly increased population (Lane 5).

Image Source: 2006 Image by Christophe Meneboeuf on Wikimedia Commons

1573 - Mita system implemented into Potosi by Viceroy Toledo

jiatipnis27 — 2024-05-09 22:31:46 UTC

Mining, especially in Potosi, needed many workers. Instead of slaves, Viceroy Toledo decided to revive and adjust the Mita system. The 17 districts of Potosi each had to give 16% of their healthy, able-bodied men to the mines. The men worked in rotations and the job was very dangerous. This system was very difficult to keep up with because the mines ate up the men because the working conditions were extremely dangerous and they had to keep getting new men to work (Lane 70). Over 8 million people died in the Potosi silver mine (Barragán R. and Zagalsky 53).

Image Source: Potosi : the Silver City That Changed the World by Kris Lane on page 70

1592 - Potosi reaches peak production

jiatipnis27 — 2024-05-09 22:34:04 UTC

Cerro Rico was the largest silver mine in the world (Barragán R. and Zagalsky Page 53). Potosi became a very wealthy place because of the large amounts of silver they traded.

Image Source: 2014 Image on Wikimedia Commons

1650s - Potosi reaches peak population

jiatipnis27 — 2024-05-09 22:35:29 UTC

In the 17th Century, there were 160,000 colonist and 13,500 Indians living in Potosi ("City of Potosi").

Image Source: 2009 Image on Wikimedia Commons

1987 - Potosi joined the UNESCO World Heritage Site

jiatipnis27 — 2024-05-09 22:36:36 UTC

Potosi was put on the World Heritage site because of its architectural legacy, industrial infrastructure and authenticity. Infrastructure in Potosi is beautiful and still has a long lasting impact today. The silver and other good exported from Potosi still holds significance today and was necessary to the advancements of our world. The authenticity of Potosi today is why UNESCO has Potosi on their list.

Image Source: 2009 Image on Wikimedia Commons