Uses of Heritage

Heritage value is too often seen as self-evident -- things must be preserved and treasured because they have an inherent importance. Laurajane Smith challenges this idea. She demonstrates forcefully that heritage value is not inherent in physical objects or places, rather these objects and places are used to give tangibility to the values that underpin different communities, and then to assert and affirm these values for a range of reasons. She identifies and explores the various uses to which heritage is put in a series of case studies from around the world, including the USA, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The result is a practically-grounded, accessible theorzation of heritage as a cultural practice.

Laurajane Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Cultural Heritage Studies and Archaeology at the University of York.