Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

City of Potosi

Location

Province of Potosi

Country

Bolivia

Year of Research

1987

Culture

In the 16th century, this area was advertised as the world’s largest industrial complex.

The derivation of silver ore relied on a series of hydraulic mills.

The site has the industrial monuments of the Cerro Rico, where water is supplied by an intricate system of pipelines and artificial lakes; the colonial town with the Casa de la Moneda; the Church of San Lorenzo; various gentle houses; and the barrios mitayos, the areas where the workers lived.