Archaeology of Historical Conflicts, Colonial Oppression, and Political Violence in Uruguay

Abstract

This chapter identifies some critical social scenarios, of oppression and violence, which are an essential part of Latin American history. The aim is to trigger discussion in the philosophy and ethics of archaeology in its relationship to the various conflicts and episodes of oppression, both historical and recent, where archaeologists work as professionals and live as citizens. In Latin America, archaeologists work in scenarios related to historical and cultural processes of social violence, as well as conflicts derived from economic and environmental speculation. In recent years we have witnessed an increasing interaction between civil society and archaeologists around the historical past and the public policies related to environment, cultural and historical heritage. An old colonial prejudice towards the undeveloped world has favored the opinion that the technical advancement in science makes ethics unnecessary. But archaeologist must never forget that ethics is inherent to theory, as much as technique is to science.