Experience in Architectural Research on Archaeological Sites

Abstract

The study of the Indigenous period in our country, from an urban-architectural point of view, has always been relegated in favor of attaining a deeper knowledge of the architecture of other historical periods. Thus, for example, there are countless research works dealing with the urban-architectural production of the colonial period, the nineteenth century, and the twentieth century, in contrast to the scarce number of studies carried out on the Indigenous subject.

Reflection on this problem has made evident the urgent need to conduct research on Indigenous settlements from an urban-architectural perspective. The numerous difficulties that arise in the process of this task can only be overcome insofar as interdisciplinary work is applied in a practical and concrete way, and insofar as there are professionals adequately and specifically trained in the field. We must also take into account that the ultimate aim of this effort is its transfer to the community, since in this way we will contribute to the construction of our identity as a country.

Awareness of this problem and the concrete will for change are the first steps that must be taken in the endeavor to reclaim our heritage, our cultural identity, and our identity as Argentines, assuming each and every one of the periods of our history.