Stakeholders, values, and meanings of the Intihuasi archaeological site, San Luis Province, Argentina. An analysis oriented to its heritage management

Abstract

The Intihuasi archaeological site has established a milestone in Argentine archeology in the mid-twentieth century. Despite being legally protected and managed by the province that has built, in recent decades, tourism infrastructure with permanent personnel involved in its protection, the site has lost its attraction due to the accumulation of anthropic and natural impact. Recent research in the area and the use of new technologies allowed the identification of new paintings and provided unpublished information that will revive its scientific value. The provincial government’s interest in enhancing Intihuasi to turn it into a reference point for regional cultural tourism led to sponsoring new research and the development of a management plan. In this paper, we present part of the results, linked to the assessment of the cultural significance of the site. We identified the stakeholders involved, and we surveyed and evaluated the values attributed to the site. We also reconstructed the history of the place, the different stages of its management, its legal situation, and preservation conditions. Based on this information, we expect to contribute to the design of value-oriented management for Intihuasi.