Atacama Region, Chile - People and publications

 Atacama Literature: Paul Treutler

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Paul Treutler, a German traveller describes life in Atacama, worked in Atacama, descriptions between reality and fiction. Regrettably.

Paul Treutler, born in Waldenburg, Silesia 6.7.1822 - died 1.9.1887 in Neu-Weissenstein, Silesia, a traveler from Silesia, the son of a mining family, arrived in 1852 in Copiapó. He mainly lived in Valparaiso, where he had an office. In Copiapó, he performed in "geochemical" analysis of minerals from nearby mines.

Later on, he bought some silver mines in the sector Tres Puntas. But none of them worked successfully, Treutler lost his claims, and his business went bankrupt. Then he tried to work as a "scientist" or explorer in southern Chile. This project almost ended in disaster.

He remains indebted to his underwriters, cannot meet his obligations, and ultimately he has to answer to a court of law for his actions. His departure from the country was a matter of time, and he arrived in Peru and Panama to return to Silesia.
His book "15 years in South America" was published in 1882 to the public.

Unfortunately, his descriptions are not always authentic, but he uses figures from other books without mentioning the origin. Treutler's descriptions can be characterized from "interesting" (although they are not always Treutler's own observations) to "unbearable" - especially some dramatic chapters with rather distorted statements. These parts of the text will not be published here - because they are far from reality and have no support whatsoever in fact.

In conclusion, Paul Treutler's publication gives us a detailed look at the period between 1852 and 1858 in Copiapó - but it is always necessary to be aware that his descriptions do not always reflect the truth, and reports must be taken with great caution. Some portraits published by Treutler are copies of other books. It is worth mentioning that at least the miner's portrait in Tres Puntas and Robinson Crusoe's cave in Juan Fernández is deceptive copies. (In the last example, the person copied by Treutler in the cave is much smaller compared to the original of R. Tornero).

Publications by Paul Treutler
	Copiapó center and everyday life: Treutler describes the people, the Germans living in Copiapó and gives an overview of the city. (here), In Copiapó: Short description of the boulevard and movement at the railway station (aquí). Pictures of Copiapó by Treutler
	in Caldera: Directly after his arrival Treutler describes the newly born city.  A text with many impressions or personal "stories" of the author. here
	Travelling by Rail: Treutler describes his journey by rail from Caldera to Copiapó at the beginning of 1851. (here)
	Treutler: Railroad Accident: Treutler describes an presumed railway accident. But there are serious doubts about the authenticity of the fact... (here)
	Earthquakes in general
	Treutler - living in Tres Puntas: Short texts about a tavern in Tres Puntas and a very nice image of dancing in the tavern. (here)
	The faces of people, miners of Tres Puntas: Enlargement of the faces of visitors to a tavern in Tres Puntas, taken from the image in the tavern. (here)
	Treutler - Salvadora Mine in Tres Puntas: Paul Treutler describes a visit to the interior of the Salvadora mine. (here)
	Treutler - The Tres Puntas Village: Description of the village, its location and houses. A fairly complete text... (here)
	Treutler - the miners in Tres Puntas: Treutler´s description of a mine from outside, especially the facilities and houses. Treutler also refers to the life of the local miners. here
	Treutler: Mining in Tres Puntas: The mining district Tres Puntas; especially a description of how to perform mining work outside on the field.
	Accident at Tres Puntas mine: Short description of an accident due to handling explosives at the Cobriza mine (Tres Puntas). (here)
	Earthquake in Tres Puntas: Not very authentic text about an earthquake inside a mine in Tres Puntas. Several indicators point to a dramatic invention by Treutler. (here)
	Comparación de la imagen de SIMONIN copiada por TREUTLER -  Treutler obviamente copió una imagen de Simonin - lo cambió levemente y re-tituló .... - image complet
	My copper mines in Cachiyuyo
	Map of Atacama The sector of the Atacama Region; map published by Paul Treutler.
	Drawings published by Treutler - Chile general (large) Taberna and dancing Tres Puntas (Treutler) Copiapó por Treutler The threshing (Treutler) Condor Hunting (Treutler) Guanaco Hunting (Treutler) Baths of Cauquenes (P. Treutler)
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