Heritage Dogma: Policy and Practice – Searching for Missing Links

John Kelechi Ugwuanyi Announcement
Location
Japan
Subject Fields
Archaeology, Colonial and Post-Colonial History / Studies, Cultural History / Studies, Historic Preservation, Humanities

A session under theme 8 (T08) at the World Archaeological Congress (WAC-8) Conference in Kyoto, Japan.

Heritage Dogma: Policy and Practice – Searching for Missing Links

Organiser(s): John Ugwuanyi (University of York / UK), Harald Fredheim (University of York / UK) and Steve Brown (University of Sydney / Australia)
Type: Symposium
Contact: jku500(at)york.ac.uk, lhf506@york.ac.uk, steve.brown@sydney.edu.au
Abstract:
The 1994 ICOMOS Nara Document on Authenticity, 2003 UNESCO Intangible Heritage Convention and 2005 Council of Europe ‘Faro’ Convention can all be considered ‘soft laws’ attempting to legitimise an expanded range of perspectives on heritage and archaeology. Nevertheless, these are doctrinal texts against the tide, against a dogma that promotes authorised modes of heritage creation and differentiates between ‘public’ heritage and archaeology proper. What are some of the perceived and problematic distinctions that academics and practitioners make between archaeology and heritage? What are the implications of such distinctions for engaging diverse publics? What are the benefits of working more closely with diverse publics in all forms of practice: framing research designs, excavating, sampling, conserving, publishing and preparing plans of management; in light of these benefits, when (if ever) should practice not be ‘public’?
Increasingly, theoretical justifications for diverse and inclusive approaches are recognised. Professionals who favour such approaches are nevertheless faced with a range of practical challenges: how can professionals and publics work most effectively together? Which new skills and technologies are required by alternative approaches? How can authority, once shared, be protected in order to prevent democratic exclusion? We encourage submissions that articulate and challenge the established dogma and critically engage with the practice of ‘public’ approaches towards heritage and archaeology in their many and various forms.
Keywords: Heritage Dogma, Public, Shared Authority

Hope to see you in Kyoto.

Contact Email
jku500@york.ac.uk