Tactics from the ground: An archaeological perspective on General Bartolomé Mitre and his battlefields

Authors

  • Juan Bautista Leoni CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Rosario
  • Carlos G. Landa CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53351/4sy0p053

Keywords:

Bartolomé Mitre , battlefield archaeology, Cepeda, Pavón, La Verde

Abstract

This article examines aspects of Bartolome Mitre’s military career from the novel perspective of battlefield archaeology. Following a brief review of the field, it presents research conducted on the battlefields of Cepeda (1859), Pavón (1861) and La Verde (1874). These civil clashes not only shaped Mitre’s military reputation but also played a decisive role in the political struggles that characterized the formation of the Argentine nation-state. Archaeological research, through the study of material remains recovered from the battle sites and their spatial distribution, makes it possible to identify specific military actions and reconstruct the course of the battles. These interpretations are then contrasted with narratives found in written sources such as battle reports or accounts by high-ranking officers of the opposing forces, as well as in subsequent historiographical reconstructions. Thus, archaeology can contribute to a richer understanding of these historical events by deepening knowledge of underexplored topics including weaponry, equipment, and military tactics while offering new reconstructions of how these battles unfolded.

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Published

2026-06-29

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 30 (2026): Perpetradores, políticas eliminacionistas, contextos y memoria colectiva en la España del siglo XX

Section

Estudios

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Copyright (c) 2026 Juan Bautista Leoni, Carlos G. Landa

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How to Cite

Tactics from the ground: An archaeological perspective on General Bartolomé Mitre and his battlefields. (2026). Revista Universitaria De Historia Militar, 15(30), 188-212. https://doi.org/10.53351/4sy0p053

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