Since 2004, GAEPuNo (Archaeology and Ethnohistory Group of the Northern Puna) has been conducting research in the northern highlands of extreme Northwestern Argentina, in Jujuy Province. One of the main lines of research concerns mining and metallurgy during pre-Columbian and Colonial times. This presentation will highlight part of the results of this research, with special emphasis on the most recent outcomes of our investigations.
In addition, it will particularly showcase the collaborative projects developed with local Indigenous communities for the preservation and exhibition of mining heritage in the area. This work is especially relevant in a region where mining heritage is celebrated, yet contemporary mining projects remain highly contested due to their social, economic, and environmental impacts. The debate involves multiple stakeholders—including the state, mining companies, and local communities—who negotiate the meanings and consequences of both past and present extractive activities. The presentation will also address the challenges of collaborative work, as well as the contributions that can be made to tourism promotion, heritage conservation, and community claims, underscoring how collaborative archaeology can contribute to strengthening Indigenous rights and sustainable forms of heritage management.
This lecture is part of Dr. Becerra’s activities as a Humboldt Fellow visitor during January 2026.
Organisation: Sabine Klein (Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum, Ruhr-Universität Bochum)