Trip to the "Silver Mountain" of Potosi

[capt dom]

Trip to the "Silver Mountain" of Potosi

A while ago when we were flush, my wife
Yvonne and I took a trip to Bolivia so as to retrace
the journey many of the coins we are continuing to find
at the Jupiter Historic Shipwreck site.....

Below is a picture of the "Silver Mountain".
Funny part of the story was a week or so before we
got there Fisher {Kim I think} and his wife went there as well!
If you wish, I have more photos I can post.

We actually went into the mines....

 

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[divewrecks]

Re: Trip to the "Silver Mountain" of Potosi

Dom, I think you posted those before here. Didn't you have pics in the mine itself and also of the old mint building? Or was that someone else?

Cool trip!....

Stan

 

[capt dom]

Re: Trip to the "Silver Mountain" of Potosi

This is mountain has been continuously mined for over
500 years! It is known as the largest silver find of all times!
Tin in the primary product being mined today.


Potosi was actually a world population in the 16 through 18th century
most of the folks brought to this remote area in the Alto Plano now
in Bolivia but then called Upper Peru
were slaves shanghaied by the Spanish.

Many American Indians ended up in this mountain that is now riddled with
mines - going three to five kilometers into the "Red Mountain" as it is called.

It is actually a very "cool place" as the city which gre up the side of the mountain
starts at about 14,000 feet.

I brought some coins in incrustations to take into the mountain and show some of the miners.
The statute of the "other well hung" guy in the mine pictured in the photo
is "Uncle Tio" the miners god of the "underworld"
you have to make an offering to him if you
go into the mine. It usually some coca leaves, you pour some alcohol
on his shlong and leave some blasting cord.

The last photo is of our guide buying the "offering'.