SLOWLY AND TENTATIVELY: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARCHAEOLOGISTS AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES IN URUGUAY

We analyze the relationship between archaeology and indigenous groups in Uruguay, based on discussions developed in two stages. The first included the archaeological community; the second stage involved an open exchange with indigenous people. As a result of these instances, we observed that the concerns of Uruguayan archaeology regarding indigenous people refer to the historical continuity of the current communities, the interlocutors with whom to dialogue, and the dilemma regarding the assumption of concrete positions in terms of political demands. Indigenous concerns include the joint construction of knowledge, consent with respect to excavations, and the declaration of Salsipuedes as a memorial site, which constitutes both a milestone and a focus of tension. Although late in the regional context, the dialogue between indigenous people and academia in Uruguay is still in a germinal stage, it continues to be necessary and has fruitful prospects.