SWEDISH ARCHAEOLOGISTS IN ARGENTINA NINETY YEARS LATER

THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TUCUMAN AND THE UNIVERSITY OF GOTEMBURGH (SWEDEN)

Abstract

Ever since the Swedish Scientific mission headed by Erland Nordenskiöld in 1901, the archaeological relationship between Sweden and Argentina had important contributions during the first four decades of the XXI Century. Since shortly before the beginning of WWII and for half a century, the fluency of communications between archaeologists of both countries was interrupted. It was not until 1988, that the tradition once initiated by Nordenskld was revived through actions taken by the University of Gotemburgh and Stocolm (Sweden) and by archaeologist of the National University of Tucuman.
The results of this bi-national experience as well the agreement between the universities of Gotemburgh and the National University of Tucuman are analyzed; the basis of which were:
a) Foreign institutions that have an interest in working in our country must abide by existing legal regulations which state, as touching Tucuman, that any archaeological patrimony is property of the Province.
b) The participation of foreign institutions must leave as a result for the region where works were conducted, not only new knowledge at a scientific research level, but an effective contribution as related to the development of local human resources.

c) All field documentation of any kind (notes, records, photographs, film, plans, etc.) constitute an inseparable part of the archaeological patrimony and it must be archived where other materials are kept. The experience was highly positive, as the terms agreed upon were fully observed and beneficial results for both sides were achieved without conflict.