Arqueologia de la Segunda Guerra Mundial en Sudamerica : El asentamiento Nazi de Teyu Cuare

This study reports on a remarkable discovery and a pioneering example of historical archaeology in Latin America: an unknown settlement was found nestled between rocky cliffs in the Argentinian jungle. Dated to between 1943-6, finds are characterised by exotic European luxuries, German coins and coins from the occupied countries of Western Europe.

Arqueologia de la Segunda Guerra Mundial en Sudamerica: el asentamiento Nazi de Teyú Cuaré reports on a remarkable discovery and a pioneering piece of research in the historical archaeology of Latin America. In the jungle on the border between Argentina and Paraguay, near the bank of the Paraná River, an unknown settlement was found nestled between rocky cliffs. While there were local references to it having been the refuge of Nazi General Martin Bormann, studies showed that it had indeed been built to house someone at the end of World War II; this is impossible, however, for Bormann who died in Berlin. An extensive archaeological and historical study of the site and its environment allowed it to be dated to between 1943 and 1946 and revealed that it was made by local people to house a family whose stay was of a brief duration. The constructions are of very poor quality, plain stacked stones, but following a modern, complex plan arranged according to contemporary bourgeois needs, and foreign to the wooden and thatch architecture of the region. It is possible that pre-existing remains were used and that after their abandonment there were sporadic occupants. The finds are characterised by exotic luxuries (European porcelain, cut glass, silverware and weapons), German coins and coins from the occupied countries of Western Europe, and even papers and photographs hidden in a wall.