DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1310135. ARK: https://n2t.net/ark:/49934/27.

Abstract. Is believed that the existing mines located in the Suchil river valley in northwest Zacatecas, Mexico, were constructed by people settled there before the conquerors’ arrival during the 16th century. However, there is no evidence linking the technology to build mines with wells, tunnels and galleries to prehispanic people. 16th century bibliographic sources describe the gold and silver rush that caused all kinds of difficulties for Spanish miners seeking silver and the even more rare gold. This article mentions a few stories left by religious miners concerning their way of living and that of the foreign pioneers during their constant search for precious metals. Last but not least, doubts emerge about who were the real creators of these mines.

Keywords: Chalchihuites, mines, ethnohistory, Zacatecas, Mexico, Mesoamerica.

Reference:
Cabrero G., M. T. 2011. Algunas menciones en las fuentes etnohistóricas de las minas de Chalchihuites en el noroeste de Zacatecas. Arqueología Iberoamericana 11: 27-35. http://www.laiesken.net/arqueologia/archivo/2011/11/2_en.

Publication date: 31-10-2011.