Representations of the patagonian space. An interpretation of 17th- and 18th- century jesuit cartography

Authors

  • Luis I. de Lasa Licenciado en Geografía. Docente-Investigador en la Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Sede Ushuaia
  • María Teresa Luiz Doctora en Historia. Docente-Investigadora en la Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Sede Ushuaia

Abstract

Jesuit cartography serves as an exceptional source for gaining access to the ways of production and use of the geographical and cartographic knowledge related to the southern borders of the Spanish empire. Taking into account that the maps produced by the missionaries from the Society of Jesus were the fi rst to explicitly incorporate the spatial knowledge of the local inhabitants, we examined the conditions for collecting information, the strategies for appropriation and organization of indigenous lore and the reconciliation of different spatial conceptions and representations upon producing the map. Considering the use made of the Jesuit production, we have identifi ed the main benefi ciaries from this intimate knowledge. At the present study we examine the general maps of Patagonia produced by Alonso de Ovalle (1646), José Cardiel (1746-1747, 1749 y 1751) and Thomas Falkner (1772).    

Keywords:

Jesuits, cartography, indigenous spatial knowledge, colonial borders, Patagonia