Las catástrofes naturales como instrumento de observación social: el caso del terremoto de Lima en 1746

Abstract

This essay is about the events following the earthquake that struck Lima and its port of Callao in 1746. This earthquake was the most serious ever suffered by the capital of Peru during colonial times and originated a deep and dramatic crisis in the city. It caused not only a great number of victims and widespread damage, but also numerous confrontations amongst neighbours. We will used the catastrophe as an observation instrument, and therefore, the study of these events allows us to glimpse a clearer view of the peculiarities, prejudices, interests and beliefs of a large city in Hispanic America during the 18th century.