Studies of the Subaltern in Contemporary Archaeology: Prostitution in Saltpeter Boomtowns and Ports of Northern Chile (1880-1930)

Summary

Prostitution and prostitutes, despite their alleged ubiquity in time-space and exponential growth with industrialization, have rarely been the focus of historical inquiry, let alone of archaeology, with exceptional exceptions. With New Orleans’ red-light district Storyville as source of inspiration, this study seeks to archaeologically document prostitution in saltpeter boomtowns (salitreras) and ports of Northern Chile (1880-1930), aiming to identify and characterize the spaces of prostitution as well as to describe the figure of the pampina prostitute. Departing from material, spatial and documentary evidence, we set out to explore the role of prostitution as an institution, and the prostitute as actor and agent within the social fabric of these newly created settlements. Ultimately, we wish to contribute to the study of subaltern groups through archaeology.   

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Paper / Report Submission (General Sessions) 2018   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

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Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 583