Coast and hinterland: territory and resource management of the Selknam of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss strategies of territorial and resource management of the Selknam, hunter-gatherers who occupied most of the territory of the Big Island of Tierra del Fuego. Evidence obtained from ethnographic and archaeological research combine to highlight the way in which the Selknam managed their territory. Ethnographic studies revealed that the Selknam region was divided into territories (called haruwen) on the basis of lineage. Many of them had access to both coastal and hinterland resources; movement inside the haruwen allowed access to resources available at different seasons of the year. Archaeological investigations showed evidence of coastal resources in sites located along coastlines. Recently, new archaeological investigations in the inland forests have revealed the presence of resources from the Atlantic coast, such as shellfish and eroded glass. Based on this, we can discuss the complementarity of territorial management strategies, from the perspective of the coast, the inland forests and the steppes.