Potosí in the Global Silver Age (16th—19th Centuries)

Potosí, Bolivia, stands out as the world's single-richest silver deposit, playing a pivotal role in global capitalism during the 16th to 19th centuries. This book delves into the political economy of silver production and its circulation, revealing how Potosí's mining activities shaped both local and global landscapes. It examines the establishment and evolution of a complex infrastructure, highlighting changes over time and their impact on human and environmental systems. The study integrates geology, sacred spaces, technical knowledge, environmental history, labor dynamics, and silver flows, offering a multidisciplinary perspective. Based on extensive archival research by 11 international contributors, this work provides cutting-edge insights into Potosí's significance as a major commodity producer.

Barragán, R., & Zagalsky, P. C. (2023). Potosí in the Global Silver Age (16th—19th Centuries). https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004528680