Digging for gold in British Guiana (now Guyana)
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Digging for gold in British Guiana (now Guyana)
Digging for gold in British Guiana (now Guyana). Placer washing as carried out by the tributor or Port Knocker. Date: circa 1910s
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 11575551
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Alluvial Digging Guiana Guyana Knocker Labour Overseer Prospecting Prospectors Search Searching Sieving Sifting Washing Workmen Placer
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the intensive and laborious process of gold prospecting in British Guiana, now known as Guyana, during the 1910s. The scene depicts a dedicated prospector, or 'tributor,' meticulously searching for gold in the alluvial deposits of a riverbed. Known as a 'Port Knocker,' this prospector uses a long, wooden tool to dislodge and sift through the gravel, separating the precious metal from the sediment. The oversight of the local workmen is evident in the background, as they carefully sieve and pan the silt and sand, ensuring that no potential gold goes unnoticed. The search for gold was a significant part of the history of British Guiana, attracting prospectors from all over the world in search of wealth and opportunity. The allure of the precious metal brought about a wave of migration to the region, with many arriving in the hopes of striking it rich. The process of placer washing, as depicted in this photograph, was a common method used to extract gold from the alluvial deposits found in the rivers and streams. Despite the arduous and often fruitless labor, the prospectors remained undeterred, driven by the promise of financial gain and the thrill of the search. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history of gold prospecting in Guyana and the perseverance of those who sought to make their fortunes in the land of promise.
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