NEW EVIDENCE FOR TEHUELCHE/AONIKENK-MAPUCHE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES (XXTH CENTURY) IN SANTA CRUZ, PATAGONIA (ARGENTINA)

The process of occupation of Santa Cruz province by the Argentinean State towards the end of the 19th century and during the early 20th century, involved its division in small units (estanclas) and promoted the settlement of groups of European descent focused on sheep breeding. At the same time, specific areas ("reservations") were created with the intention of constraining indigenous families. In this vein, we present archaeological evidence of four sites occupied during the 20th century by families of Tehuelche/Aonikenk-Mapuche origin. The analysis focuses on architectonic features and glass scrapers. Two sites are located inside the former "reservation" area of Lago Viedma ("Cerro Indice"), while the other two sites are placed nearby at the Hotel Punta del Lago and near the former "reservation" of Camusu Aike (Coyle river basin). This evidence broadens the variability of archaeological contexts from Patagonia historical times and advances in the visualization of indigenous people.