Enseñanzas de un padrón (Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 1561)

Abstract

The register of encomiendas of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, made in 1561, is an exceptional document to approach the early ethnohistory of the Bolivian East. Published by Catherine Julien in 2008, it opened the door to novel studies, raised unsuspected questions, and even allowed us to demolish some historiographical myths. The paper compiles some of the main lessons learned from this document.