Echos of conflict: archaeological analysis and 3D reconstruction of the batteries at the battlefield of Vuelta de Obligado (1845, Buenos Aires, Argentina)

This paper presents the results of archaeological and historical analyses of the configuration and architectural characteristics of the coastal military structures used during the Battle of Vuelta de Obligado (20 November 1845), the first engagement of the Paraná War (1845–1846), in which forces of the Argentine Confederation resisted an Anglo-French fleet attempting to navigate the Paraná River and establish trade routes into the continent’s interior. The study combined: (1) morphological-functional analysis of metallic artefacts; (2) spatial and statistical analyses of material distribution in relation to site organisation; and (3) examination of national and international documentary sources. In addition, digital technologies were used to produce a 3D reconstruction of the battlefield and its lost military structures. This approach provides an accurate and accessible representation of the archaeological evidence, offering new perspectives on the site and improving understanding of its military landscape and defensive system.