A multidisciplinary team from Conicet is carrying out an initiative aimed at improving the emotional health of veterans of the Malvinas War . Archaeologists and ex-combatants joined forces to rescue not only the remains of soldiers from a historic battle, but also the memories and reflections of those who lived through the conflict in 1982.
This is an innovative procedure aimed at veterans of the Malvinas War who suffer from post-traumatic stress . This initiative, unique in Latin America , is taking place at the historic site of Vuelta de Obligado , where archaeologists and ex-combatants work together to address the emotional well-being of those who faced the conflict in 1982.
In an environment that evokes historical memory, veterans such as Silvio, Fernando and Eduardo met in the province of Buenos Aires , where they shared their experiences and reflections on the war . Accompanied by the archaeologist Mariano Ramos , the former soldiers listened attentively to the story of the battle of 1845 , in which a group of Argentines, under the command of Lucio V. Mansilla , bravely resisted the Anglo-French fleet .
Ramos described how, in that confrontation, Argentine forces tried to prevent foreign powers from accessing the inland rivers of the Paraná basin . The story resonated deeply with veterans, who acknowledged the sacrifice of those soldiers, many of whom were the same age as them during the Malvinas War . Silvio stressed the importance of honoring the fallen , stating that they deserve a dignified burial .
" We have two main objectives. One of them is the search and identification of the third battery of cannons, and the other is the search for the mass grave where some of the bodies of the fallen were deposited, mainly Argentines ," added the archaeologist who is part of the team of experts from the National Universities of Rosario, Luján and the UBA.
Fernando , for his part, said that participating in this project allowed them to make visible the suffering that not only they, but also other veterans have faced throughout history . " We, as ex-soldiers, suffered the de-Malvinization and sometimes we feel forgotten ," he commented, underlining the relevance of this collaboration in the search for recognition and healing.
CONICET 's treatment not only focuses on the excavation of the remains of the 1845 soldiers , but also seeks to offer a space for reflection and emotional connection for Malvinas veterans . This initiative highlights the importance of and the impact it can have on the well-being of those who have faced war conflicts , promoting a path towards healing and recognition of their sacrifices.
Silvio mentioned that “ finding the bodies in the fields of Vuelta de Obligado reminds me of what I believe the mothers of Malvinas have suffered, waiting so many years for the identification of the bodies,” and added that “it seems to me that they deserve to be seen, to know who they were because they were people who gave their lives for the country .”
“ Just like in Malvinas, just like in 1982, I think we all deserve to know the names and surnames of these people, to have a decent burial, and the idea is to collaborate so that this can be found, that is what this archaeology team does and I think it is fantastic to be able to collaborate ,” the ex-combatant stressed.
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