Historical-cultural perspective and anthropological investigation in Chile: An approach to the contributions of Max Uhle, Martín Gusinde and Aureliano Oyarzún (1910-1947)

Abstract

This article analyses intellectual production and contributions from the perspective of the postulates of the Austro-German Historical-Cultural School in the scientific development and the institutional establishment of anthropology in Chile. We use discussion of the careers and work of Max Uhle, Martín Gusinde and Aureliano Oyarzún to present a number of elements in order to characterise their contributions to the research work carried out in Chile, and to the socio-institutional dynamics which enabled scientific anthropology to emerge at the beginning of the 20th century. To attain this object we used a historical approach, from which we entered into more profound analysis of the scientific production of these authors. In this way we were able to identify and characterise actors, areas of work and core themes, including anthropological, archaeological and ethnological practice. The research produced various elements permitting discussion of certain statements made about anthropology in the early 20th century, among them the homogeneity of these practices, and their crucial contribution to a state policy of national construction.