The place of places. The Indian grotto and the puma cave (Garuhapé/Misiones/Argentina) as historical-environmental heritage, in a regional/local perspective

Abstract

This article discusses the archaeological sites of Gruta India – or Cueva 3 de Mayo – and Cueva El Puma (Garuhapé, Misiones, Argentina), as historical and environmental heritage, focusing on their social and touristic relevance in the debate on sustainable development and preservation policies. The research project "Misiones and its Pre-Hispanic History" emphasized a historical-environmental perspective to understand the heritage-making processes of both sites, integrating community knowledge, heritage education, and sustainable tourism proposals. The qualitative methodology guided the dialogue between the voices concentrated in oral testimonies, documentary records, participant observation surveys, and the production of educational materials, in collaboration with local institutions. The results demonstrate that valuing heritage assets strengthens the sense of community belonging, generates new opportunities for local development, and enables the inclusion of the sites in regional tourist circuits. However, it also reveals tensions and conflicts surrounding conservation, economic exploitation, and citizen participation; even more so in border contexts that involve the management/action of government institutions of diverse jurisdictional scopes.