Archaeology of Repression in Latin America: Three Records from the Chilean October (2019).

This article focuses on an archaeological study of the October 2019 social uprising in Chile, known as the October Revolt, analyzing material remains from clashes between protesters and Chilean police forces (Carabineros de Chile) and the armed forces. Using concepts from contemporary and battlefield archaeology, the research identifies and documents Sites of Demonstration and Protest (SDP) and Nuclei of Repression and Self-Defense (NRS) in Santiago and other cities, revealing patterns of police violence, protest dynamics, and state repression strategies. The study employed collaborative, volunteer-based fieldwork and innovative methods to record ephemeral evidence such as projectile impacts, tear gas canisters, and barricades, highlighting territorial differences in repression intensity and cleanup practices. Findings contribute to understanding the materiality of political conflict in Chile’s recent history and emphasize the potential of archaeology to support human rights and historical memory in ongoing social struggles.