Preliminary study and identification of a castaway camp in the context of the Brazilian War (1825-1828), Partido de Patagones, Buenos Aires

Maritime and nautical archaeologists have focused on sailing, naval technology, life on board, and activities performed on modern and contemporary vessels. However, the fate of shipwreck survivors and the corresponding material evidence on the coast have not been addressed to a similar extent. Research has developed unevenly; work carried out in the Western Pacific stands out. In Latin America, however, this topic is still barely outlined. The archaeological study of castaway camps can provide novel information to understand human, interpersonal, and intergroup relationships in crisis scenarios. This article presents the initial results of the archaeological-historical analysis of the Faro Segunda Barranca 4 site in Patagones, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Based on a discussion of different lines of evidence, we identify the remains as a shipwreck survivor camp occupied during the war with the Brazilian Empire, or the Cisplatine War (1825-1828).