Restituciones de restos humanos indígenas en Argentina: trayectorias de luchas, enfoques disciplinares y desafíos pendientes

Abstract

Based on the analysis of literature on issues related to the restitution of indigenous human remains, as well as ethnographic work with Mapuche and Tehuelche communities, this article reviews the most significant aspects of the restitution processes that have taken place in Argentina. Focusing on the studies that approached the subject from different perspectives, we first briefly review the trajectories of struggle and the requests for the restitution of bodies and objects initiated by indigenous groups before various institutions, and then systematize the main disciplinary approaches in three analytical themes: 1) in relation to the notions of “heritage” and “property”; 2) the relationship between restitutions and the configuration of the state archive; 3) in relation to the processes of memory and political ontologies. Finally, we present a section with reflections in which we highlight the importance of ethnographic work with indigenous communities and families in order to expand the analysis and contributions to studies on restitution processes