Publications
O Patrimônio Jesuítico-Guarani na América do Sul e a Ação Institucional
Research reveals that the protection of Jesuit-Guarani missions in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay is hindered by institutional approaches that are reductionist and fragmented. These limitations manifest as jurisdictional boundaries, hierarchical structures, weak interconnections, and non-dialogical operational priorities. The study employs a qualitative, analytical, and synthetic methodology, combining bibliographic and documentary research with fieldwork at three archaeological sites. By applying the concept of scale—taille, niveau, réseau, and relation—as proposed by geographer Javier Gutiérrez Puebla, the research identifies distinct patterns of heritage action across these countries, highlighting the need for more integrated and collaborative approaches to preservation.
Geo-Foto-Grafia das Missões Jesuítico-Guaranis
A critical analysis of the Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue, specifically focusing on São Miguel Arcanjo, reveals urgent needs for enhanced protection and conservation to preserve their historical significance. The study employs geo-foto-grafia, a method that uses photography to reflect on symbolic elements within the landscape, highlighting key aspects that require societal and institutional attention. Findings emphasize the necessity of educational interventions to ensure the history of the Guarani people is not overlooked, while also addressing the complex legacy of colonial domination, cultural miscegenation, and conflicts inherent in the mission's past. This approach aims to move beyond superficial appreciation, fostering deeper understanding and respect for these UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
La invención de la religión indígena: Adaptación, apropiación y mímesis en las fronteras misioneras de Sudamérica colonial
Jesuit missionaries in 17th and 18th century South America constructed arbitrary boundaries to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable indigenous customs, aiming to control knowledge about these societies for colonial administration and spiritual authority. This study reveals how missionaries categorized indigenous ritual practices—some as malignant superstitions, others as assimilable to Christian sacraments or harmless customs—while masking ambiguities in their anthropological understanding. The research highlights the dual discourse employed by Jesuits: one overtly translating indigenous beliefs into Christian concepts, and another subtly manipulating ritual practices for control. By analyzing missionary accounts, this work exposes the strategic nature of their knowledge production, challenging assumptions about the objectivity of colonial-era ethnographic records.
Políticas Patrimoniais em Conflito e a Missão de São Miguel Arcanjo (Rio Grande do Sul)
A study of the Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue reveals that while UNESCO's inclusion of Guarani ruins on its World Heritage list in the 1980s introduced a globalized discourse, it also perpetuated civilizatory narratives. Between 2004 and 2014, the project to register São Miguel Arcanjo as a reference site for Mbyá-guarani communities integrated 'newcomers from the margins' into IPHAN's heritage practices, yet this process did not fully dismantle the exoticizing and fetishistic gaze towards Indigenous pasts. The research highlights ongoing tensions between distinct historical frameworks, questioning whether heritage policies can move beyond reducing Indigenous experiences to the exotic or fantastical.
You are here:
World Heritage Explorer > World Heritage Research > World Heritage Sites > Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue