Robert Lehmann‑Nitsche was a German anthropologist who spent thirty years in Argentina as director of the Anthropological Section of the La Plata Museum and professor at the University of Buenos Aires. He became an authority on indigenous people in Argentina and concluded his academic career at the Friedrich Wilhelm University in Berlin. After his death, he was accused of racism and having used research methods disrespectful of the rights of native Argentinians.

Argentina has 35 indigenous people groups officially recognized by the national government. As of the 2022 census [INDEC], some 1,306,730 Argentines self-identify as indigenous or first-generation descendants of indigenous peoples.