Mining History: Ancient Americas

Mining has a long history in the ancient Americas, dating back thousands of years. Indigenous peoples throughout North, Central, and South America mined various minerals and metals for tools, jewelry, and trade.

One of the earliest known mining sites in the Americas is the San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán complex in Veracruz, Mexico, which dates back to around 1500 BCE. There, the Olmec civilization mined hematite, a mineral used in the production of red pigment.

The ancient Americas also saw the development of mining technologies. For example, the Inca used stone hammers and chisels to extract ore from mines, while the Maya used fire-setting to break apart rock formations.

Mining played an important role in the economies and cultures of ancient American civilizations.