Cultural Background For Learning Spanish In Buenos Aires: Argentine History Part I Of Iv

If you are planning to learn Spanish in Buenos Aries

, your trip will become all the more meaningful if you know something about the history of the country. The earliest part of Argentinean history is considered the pre-Columbian time. This early time period consists of everything before the 16th century.

We can trace life in Argentina back to the Paleolithic era. The indigenous people the region were either considered basic hunters and gatherers, advanced hunters and gatherers or basic farmers with pottery. The country currently has 35 indigenous groups or Argentine AmerIndians. It is interesting to note that approximately 1.6% of the country's population today considers themselves to be either AmerIndians or first-generation AmerIndians.

When you take a Spanish course in Argentina, you can visit some historical places where there are traces of early civilizations. For example there is the Piedra Museo archaelogical site, which dates back to 11,000 BC. This is located in the Santa Cruz Province in Patagonia. In this region, you can also find the Cueva de las Manos (or Cave of the Hands), which is a World Heritage Site. These caves have famous paintings of hands, which date back approximately 9000 years.

One group of early people is called the Selk'nam or the Ona. They lived in the Patagonia region and Tierra del Fuego islands. It is interesting to note that Westerners only first reached the Selk'nam in the late 19th century. During the colonial period, they were largely left alone. These nomadic people relied on hunting for their sustenance.

Another early group in the territory that is now Argentina is the Yaghan. These indigenous people lived in the islands south of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and lived closely with the ocean. They visited islands to get food and hunted sea lions. Various explorers met with the Yaghan people including Magellan and Charles Darwin. Although they lived in very low temperatures, remarkably the Yaghan people didn't wear clothing. They spent a lot of time around small fires and sheltered themselves with rock formations.

The Tehuelche people were tribes that lived in Patagonia and southern pampas. They were renowned for their tall height and can be traced back 14,500 years. These nomads survived by hunting and gathering. Although they resisted being under Argentine rule, the Conquest of the Desert in 1879 forced the people in this region to be under the ruler's domain.

The Incan empire started to reach Argentina in the late 1400's. If you visit the Museum of High Altitude Archaeology in Salta when you take your Spanish course in Argentina, you can find the bodies of Incan children that were offered to the gods on the mountains. These mummies in this famous exhibit are referred to as Los Ninos.

Before the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, Argentina was not a very populated country. However, there is a lot to learn about this fascinating time period and the early people who inhabited the country. When you learn Spanish in Buenos Aires, be sure to visit the various museums and historical sites that will give you a glimpse into early civilization.

by: Ken Ingraham

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