Public archaeology as a reflexive practice: an Argentine case of study in the Pampean region

Abstract

In this chapter we summarise the development of public archaeology in Argentina, discussing some of the difficulties encountered and introducing, by way of an example, the work of the Grupo de Arqueología en las Pampas (GAP). The GAP is comprised of 17 people, including professional archaeologists and students. Their goal is to share the results of archaeological research carried out in three towns of the Buenos Aires province in Argentina: Bahía Blanca, Necochea and Chascomús. We briefly review the history of Argentine archaeology linked to local communities and then we outline the practice of public archaeology based on the GAP’s experience.