Maritime Networks and Navigation Patterns in the Malvinas/Falkland Islands (1764–1845)

Abstract

This research examines the process of appropriation and use of the maritime environmentof the first port of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands, spanning from its foundation in 1764to its abandonment as a port city and subsequent conversion into a space for livestockexploitation in 1845. From a historical archaeology perspective, this study identifies, characterizesand analyzes the key components of the settlement’s Maritime Cultural Landscape(MCL) focusing on the region’s navigability and connectivity at different scales. Theinvestigation integrates documentary analysis with remote sensing technologies and a GeographicInformation System for spatial and geographic analysis, offering a new approach tothe study of historical maritime networks and navigation in the South Atlantic. The findingsprovide insights into historical maritime routes, seasonal navigation patterns, and theenvironmental and anthropogenic factors that shape the MCL of the Malvinas/Falklands.Beyond deepening the historical and cultural understanding of the region from a nauticaland MCL perspective, this approach also provides a valuable tool for evaluating thesite’s archaeological potential. By enabling the identification of high-interest zones—suchas anchorages and port structures—it facilitates the planning of future fieldwork.