Which Indigenous peoples lived in the area of Argentina before European settlement?

Before European settlement, the area now known as Argentina was home to an estimated 300,000 Indigenous people who maintained diverse lifestyles and social structures.12

These groups included:

• Nomadic Hunters and Fishers: Various groups inhabited different regions, such as the Chaco region, the Tehuelche of Patagonia, and the Querandí and Puelche of the Pampas.12
• Sedentary Agriculturalists: The Diaguita of the Northwest developed advanced agricultural practices, including terraced farming, irrigation, and metallurgy.13
• Inca Influence: The highlands of the Northwest were integrated into the Inca empire.12
• Other Groups: In the northeast, the Guaraní were established as a largely sedentary agricultural people.4

The arrival of Europeans in the 16th century led to significant conflict and eventual displacement or assimilation of these Indigenous populations as colonial settlements expanded.45