Challenging Legacies of Modern Colonialism: Intertwined Heritage Management and Archaeological Research Practices in San Julian Bay, Patagonia

Summary

This is an abstract from the session entitled "Colonial Forts in Comparative, Global, and Contemporary Perspective", at the 2023 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Archaeological research projects focused on a great diversity of historic forts have helped to define common grounds from which to study modern colonialism. By studying fortifications as rich study cases, critical perspectives have questioned the grand narratives of Spanish colonialism. However, cultural heritage management strategies detached from archaeological research projects have often continued reproducing traditional ways of doing and helped reinforce stereotyped views of the colonial realities. This paper problematizes the heritage management of colonial fortifications, discussing how they could contribute to building critical perspectives on modern colonialism. To illustrate this view, a case study focused on the ruins of Nueva Colonia y Fuerte de Floridablanca settled in 1780 as part of the Spanish project of colonization of the Patagonian Atlantic coast is provided. The implication of this case contributes to considering the role that intertwined research and management practices can play in questioning the enduring effects of modern colonialism.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Colonial Forts in Comparative, Global, and Contemporary Perspective   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2023

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow