Commerce of the Cochineal is a digital history portal for all things related to the movement of the cochineal. Little is understood about how insects and their products affected international trade and international relations during the early modern period, between 1450 to 1850, but this site will shine a light on this important subject. The cochineal produced red dye and it was important for all textile manufacturing throughout the world. You can find more about the insect here.
The cochineal is a great framework for a broader understanding of world trade and international relations, especially in the early modern period. During this time, the study on insects and their products are not as well known in global trade compared to precious metals, spices, fruits, and slaves. The cochineal is important and historically significant because it is understudied. By comprehending the international trade of the insects demonstrates how commerce is important in international relations.
The best way to demonstrate the movement of the cochineal and its importance was through an online exhibit platform like Omeka. It allows everyone to access the archive and see various exhibits relating to the bug. Omeka also allows for a Neatline plugin, when I am able to display interactive maps to allow everyone to be able to explore the movement of the insect. It allows everyone to see and explore from themselves how the cochineal moved around the world and international relations that result from the trade. Most of my archive comes from travel guides and newspapers that published foreign articles. It is important to also understand how the knowledge of the cochineal also spread throughout the globe. Currently, all items are in English, hence there are little items of Spanish sources and less focus on Indigenous Mexicans labors of the cochineal dye.
The best way to navigate the site would be to start with A History of a Bug's Life to learn more background of the cochineal. Click on the menu bar in the top corner to explore the exhibits and the interactive maps, to get a more in depth analysis of the insect. Then examine my archives to get more information from the sources concerning the cochineal.
