A New Politics of Heritage Reconstruction in Afghanistan: In the Shadow of the Buddhas

The book investigates the politics of cultural heritage preservation in Afghanistan between 2008 and 2015, revealing how a 'post-Bamyan heritage paradigm' has emerged. It explores the complex intersections between politics, heritage, and a range of actors, and responds to a call to look more closely at the relationships between heritage, power, and politics.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Introduction:
The politics of cultural heritage preservation in Afghanistan have been a complex and contentious issue since the country's collapse in 2001. The destruction of the Buddhas at Bamyan in 2001, which was widely condemned by the international community, highlighted the vulnerability of cultural heritage to political instability and conflict. In response, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of heritage preservation in Afghanistan, both as a means of promoting cultural identity and as a tool for economic development.
A New Politics of Heritage Reconstruction in Afghanistan:
A New Politics of Heritage Reconstruction in Afghanistan investigates the politics of cultural heritage preservation in Afghanistan between 2008 and 2015. The book is based on several periods of ethnographic fieldwork and the authors direct employment on several internationally-sponsored heritage projects. The book studies the new and complex intersections between cultural heritage and politics in Afghanistan, and demonstrates how the characteristics of this 'post-Bamyan heritage paradigm' are revealed through a number of case studies of internationally sponsored heritage work.
Post-Bamyan Heritage Paradigm:
Wyndham argues that a particular configuration of heritage and politics has emerged after the destruction of the Buddhas at Bamyan. This 'post-Bamyan heritage paradigm' is characterized by a focus on the preservation of cultural heritage as a means of promoting national identity and promoting economic development. The book demonstrates how the characteristics of this 'post-Bamyan heritage paradigm' are revealed through a number of case studies of internationally sponsored heritage work. These case studies reveal how politics and heritage are currently configured across a diverse range of governments, state and non-state actors, NGOs, individuals, and forms of expertise.
Intersections between Politics and Heritage:
The book responds to a call from across the discipline of Heritage Studies to look more closely at the relationships between heritage, power, and politics. The book argues that heritage is not just a passive object of preservation, but is a dynamic and contested resource that can be used to promote or undermine political interests. The book also explores the ways in which heritage can be used as a tool for social and political change, and how it can be contested and manipulated by different actors.
Conclusion:
A New Politics of Heritage Reconstruction in Afghanistan provides a fascinating case study on the intersection of heritage and politics that will be of interest to students and scholars of heritage, as well as to professionals working on heritage preservation - both within and outside of government. The book demonstrates the importance of understanding the complex relationships between cultural heritage and politics in order to promote sustainable and equitable heritage preservation in Afghanistan.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032568331