1460

In 1460, the first written mention of the use of Guanche slaves in Seville is recorded, an event that reflects the beginning of the systematic exploitation of the indigenous peoples of the Canary Islands during the conquest period. The Guanches, the original inhabitants of the islands, were captured and sold in European markets, mainly on the Iberian Peninsula. This event is significant because it marks the start of a colonization and enslavement process that profoundly altered the social and cultural structure of the islands. The Guanche slave trade not only had a devastating impact on their communities but also set a precedent for future colonial practices in the Atlantic. This fact underscores the brutality of European expansion and the integration of the Canary Islands into the commercial networks of the time, transforming their role in the Atlantic world.