Ruination and deindustrialisation in the highlands of northern Chile

Key Points

• The study reveals significant impacts of deindustrialisation on local Indigenous communities in northern Chile, shaped by capitalist expansion.
• Contemporary archaeology offers valuable insights into the processes of ruination resulting from industrial mining camps and agropastoral sites.
• Research data indicates that both capitalist practices and environmental changes have contributed to the decline of traditional ways of life among local populations.
• The findings underscore the importance of understanding historical contexts and economic shifts for contemporary Indigenous experiences in the highlands.