gems, New World, beryl, emerald, Colombia, Peru

This book, written in the late 16th century (1590), is one of the earliest comprehensive accounts of the New World by a European. Acosta describes the geography, natural history, climate, flora, fauna, and indigenous peoples of the Americas. He also delves into the social, cultural, and religious practices of the native populations, and addresses their languages, customs, and the impact of Spanish colonization. It is divided into two main parts: one focused on the natural history of the Americas, including descriptions of the environment, plants, animals, and minerals, and the other on the moral, social, and political aspects of indigenous societies and their interactions with Europeans. Acosta’s work is considered a foundational text in the field of early colonial anthropology and natural history, combining empirical observation with the moral and theological reflections of the time.