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Commodore Byron with the Patagonians
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Commodore Byron with the Patagonians
Depiction of Commodore John Byron and his men rowing ashore to meet with the native people of Patagonia, on the coast of Chile, most likely to be the Selk nam people. Despite varied accounts and rumours of Patagonian giants, the people Byron met with were only recorded to be around 6" 6. Date: 1741
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Media ID 23088326
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1741 Accounts Ashore Byron Chile Commodore Giants Meet Patagonia Patagonian Rowing Rumours
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative image from 1741, Commodore John Byron and his men make their way ashore to meet with the indigenous people of Patagonia, located on the coast of modern-day Chile. The Selknam people, also known as the Ona or Kawésqar, are depicted in the scene, welcoming the British explorers with curiosity and caution. Commodore Byron, a renowned naval officer and explorer, had set sail from England on a mission to explore the uncharted waters of the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. His expedition was one of many to venture into the mysterious lands of Patagonia, a region long rumored to be inhabited by giants. However, upon making contact with the Selknam people, Byron and his men discovered that these native inhabitants were not the towering figures of legend. Instead, they were recorded to be around 6 feet tall on average. Despite the varied accounts and rumors that had preceded him, Byron approached the encounter with a spirit of exploration and diplomacy. The scene depicted in the photograph shows Byron and his men rowing ashore in a small boat, their sails and ship visible in the background. The Selknam people, dressed in animal skins and armed with spears and bows, stand on the shore, observing the strangers with a mixture of interest and wariness. This moment of first contact between Europeans and the Selknam people is an important one in the history of exploration and cultural exchange. It represents a brief but significant encounter between two vastly different cultures, each with their own unique traditions and ways of life. The image serves as a reminder of the rich and complex history of Patagonia and the indigenous peoples who have called it home for thousands of years.
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