Minerals, Collecting, and Value across the US-Mexico Border

Download or read book Minerals, Collecting, and Value across the US-Mexico Border written by Elizabeth Emma Ferry and published by Indiana University Press. This book was released on 2013-06-19 with total page 253 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “A jewel to those interested in ore mining, mineral collecting and mineralogy, or the anthropology of value.” —American Ethnologist Anthropologist Elizabeth Emma Ferry traces the movement of minerals as they circulate from Mexican mines to markets, museums, and private collections on both sides of the United States-Mexico border. She describes how and why these byproducts of ore mining come to be valued by people in various walks of life as scientific specimens, religious offerings, works of art, and luxury collectibles. The story of mineral exploration and trade defines a variegated transnational space, shedding new light on the complex relationship between these two countries—and on the process of making value itself. “A novel contribution to the anthropology of natural resources.” —Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Anthropology “Highly recommended.” —Choice