THE CEMENTERY OF “LA CANDELARIA” MISSION, RÍO GRANDE,

GUICHÓN RICARDO A., MARTÍN H. FUGASSA, JORGE A. SUBY, ROMINA CASALI, ADAUTO ARAUJO, SHEILA MENDONÇA DE SOUZA

Santiago de Chile

Congreso; 2nd PALEOPATHOLOGY ASSOCIATION SOUTH AMERICAN MEETING; 2007

Paleopathology Association

Our understanding of the changes in the health of Southern Patagonian populations require to research into the complex process (before, during and after) of Native-European contact. “La Candelaria” Mission and its cemetery in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina, constitutes one of the key places to appreciate the final episode of the process mentioned. Previous works based on historical sources (1896-1931) allowed generating some expectations on the causes of death of the buried individuals in this cemetery. There 223 Selk´nam natives, an well as Salesian and settlers were probably buried. Our interest is to know the health of the three groups. Previous to the fieldwork done in february 2007 we interviewed different social sectors (representing the organizations of the native inhabitants, local Salesian community and authorities). The exploratory analysis of the cemetery reported instances of removal bone remains (probably to burry others individuals) with diverse degrees of preservation. We also recovered a young adult women who had been burial with European elements. Samples were taken from sediments of pelvic cavity and controls for paleoparasitological studies. In this communication we present the preliminary results that as a base to new studies in health changes in Southern  Patagonia.