Gongo Soco, Archaeological site and preserved ruins in Barão de Cocais, Brazil
Gongo Soco is an archaeological site with mining structures, colonial buildings, and a cemetery scattered across the mountainous landscape of Minas Gerais. The remains reveal how the mining complex was organized across the terrain.
From 1826 to 1856, British investors operated this gold mine using advanced mining techniques of that era. The site became an important production center in the region during this period.
The cemetery displays graves of British workers with inscriptions and detailed stone carvings that show funeral customs of the 19th century. These burials reveal the connection between European laborers and the mining region.
The site sits on mountainous ground, so expect uneven terrain and potential inclines when walking around. Sturdy footwear helps you move safely across the landscape.
Within the complex stands a colonial farmhouse with slave quarters, mills, storage buildings, an orchard, and vegetable garden beside a private chapel. This diverse structure reveals an extensive economic system that went beyond mining alone.
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