Cultural heritage processes

Recent perspectives in fields such as archaeology, ethnology and museology have tended to see heritage (whether as modern monuments, archaeological finds and sites or ethnographical collections) as process rather than product. This means taking an interest in, for example, the biographies rather than origins of artefacts, the long history and changing meaning of monuments rather than just their original use, as well as how the interpretation and meaning of heritage have shifted over time during the latest centuries and may differ between different social groups and communities. It also means taking an interest in what previous heritage practices such as those of museums or field archaeological institutions have done in society. Many previously well studied and published monuments, sites and objects may be returned to and viewed in a different light when these perspectives are applied. This also entails new examinations of the histories of subjects such as archaeology and institutions such as museums. See for example Lowenthal 1996; Bennett 2004; Knell 2004; Thomas 2004; Holtorf 2005; Hall 2007.

For more information abut cultural heritage processes, contact
Katty H Wahlgren, Ph.D., Museum of National Antiquities, Stockholm;
Fredrik Svanberg, Ph.D., Museum of National Antiquities, Stockholm.

References:
Bennett, T. 2004. Pasts Beyond Memory. Evolution, Museums, Colonialism. London & New York.

Derry, L. & Malloy, M. (eds.). 2003. Archaeologists and local communities: partners in exploring the past. Society for American Archaeology. Washington

Hall, S. 2007 (1997). Representation. Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. London.

Holtorf, C. 2005. From Stonehenge to Las Vegas. Archaeology as Popular Culture. Walnut Creek.

Hooper-Greenhill, E. 2007. Museums and Education: purpose, pedagogy, performance. London.

Knell, S. (ed.). 2004 (second edition). Museums and the future of collecting. Aldershot & Burlington.

Lang, C., Reeve, J. & Woollard, V. (eds.). 2006. The responsive museum. Working with audiences in the 21st century. Aldershot.

Little, B. J. & Schakel (eds.). 2007. Archaeology as a tool of civic engagement. Plymouth.

Lowenthal, D. 1996. Possessed by the Past: The Heritage Crusade and the Spoils of History. Cambridge.

Marchall, Y. 2002. What is community archaeology? World Archaeology vol. 34(2).

Merriman, N. (ed.). 2004. Public Archaeology. London.

Svanberg, F. & Wahlgren, K. 2007. Publik arkeologi. Lund.

Thomas, J. 2004. Archaeology and Modernity. London.