Page "Huancavelica" Paragraph 10

The extraction of the quicksilver in the socavones ( tunnels ) was extremely difficult.

Every day before the miners came down, a mass for the dead was celebrated.

Due to the need of numerous hand-workers and the high rate of mortality, the Viceroy of Perù Francisco de Toledo resumed and improved the pre-Columbian mandatory service of the mita.

Despite the risks, the mining attracted people from all over the Viceroyalty.

The alloted concession were rectangular, about 67x33m.

Miners were divided in carreteros and barreteros.