Alfredo Prieto

Harvard DRCLAS Luksic Visiting Scholars

Archeologist and Investigator, Universidad de Magallanes

luksic scholar

I have devoted more than 30 years to the investigation of the prehistory and ethnography of Fuego-Patagonia, publishing some results in national and international scientific journals. A key argument of my work is that the knowledge of the natives of the southern end of the American continent can contribute to the discussion of universal themes of archeology.

This experience allowed me to investigate archives related to the Fuego-Patagonia region obtained by various researchers, mainly Samuel K. Lothrop (Harvard) and Charles Wellington Furlong (Dartmouth College). That was a critical opportunity in my career as a researcher.”

Coming from a philosophy background, I took an early interest in cultural and archaeological heritage, joining the Institute of Patagonia of the University of Magallanes. I earned a master’s degree in archeology from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a doctorate in prehistoric archeology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, ​​Catalonia, Spain.

I also participated in the formation of the Center of Studies of the Austral Man of the University of Magallanes and have been editor and member of editorial committees of several related magazines. I was president of the Editorial Commission of the University of Magallanes and a member, for two periods, of the Advisory Council of Karukinka Park in Tierra del Fuego, belonging to the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

In 2013 I spent a semester in Cambridge, MA as a Luksic Visiting Scholar at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies. This experience allowed me to investigate archives related to the Fuego-Patagonia region obtained by various researchers, mainly Samuel K. Lothrop (Harvard) and Charles Wellington Furlong (Dartmouth College). That experience was a critical opportunity in my career as a researcher.”

One of my main interests is the study of the ancient techniques used by the peoples of Fuego-Patagonia, its influence and development, to which I have dedicated articles, chapters and books.

For more on my work during my time as a Luksic Visiting Scholar, please read here.