Falkland Islands: Historical studies examine 1833 rebellion and 1982 battle

Historical and anthropological research is shedding new light on various episodes of the conflict over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas).

One study examines the 1833 rebellion led by Antonio Rivero, a gaucho who, along with seven other workers, rose up against the British occupation in Puerto Soledad. While Argentine tradition views Rivero as a symbol of resistance, historiographical debates continue regarding whether the uprising was driven by political sovereignty or immediate labor and economic conflicts.

In a separate effort to document the 1982 Falklands War, anthropologist Rosana Gubery and an interdisciplinary team have released a book focusing on the Battle of Monte Longdon. The work utilizes an “ethnography of war” approach, combining testimonies, archaeological findings, and documents to reconstruct the experiences of Argentine soldiers during the intense combat on June 11, 1982. The research covers logistical, environmental, and human aspects of the battle, including the impact of subantarctic weather and military hierarchy.