Gezicht op de diamantmijn bij Kimberley in Zuid-Afrika before 1880

This is a photograph of the diamond mine at Kimberley in South Africa, taken by the Gray Brothers. While the date of the image is unknown, the visual record of the mine speaks volumes about its historical and cultural context. The image captures the rugged, rocky terrain of the mine, offering a glimpse into the conditions faced by the miners. Predominantly, these laborers were indigenous Africans, whose work fueled colonial economies. This photograph doesn't just show a mine; it hints at the complex relationship between the land, labor, and the global diamond trade. The diamond mine itself is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, but the story is complex. It also represents the exploitation of a region and its people. The image invites us to reflect on the labor that shaped the world we live in today. The personal and emotional dimensions of this history are embedded in every fragment of the Kimberley mine.