Communities and Cultural Heritage: Global Issues, Local Values

Communities and Cultural Heritage explores the relationship between communities, their cultural heritage, and the global forces that control wealth and resources. It highlights the importance of local knowledge and traditional skills in creating resilient communities and emphasizes the need for decolonization of Western-focussed heritage practices. The book is relevant to academics, students, and practitioners of cultural heritage, archaeology, and anthropology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Communities and Cultural Heritage delves into the intricate interplay between communities, their rich cultural heritage, and the powerful global forces that govern the distribution of wealth and resources in the contemporary world. This groundbreaking book, brought together by scholars and heritage practitioners from nine diverse countries, serves as a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on community heritage. By examining the barriers that hinder full community participation, it sheds light on the significant costs associated with the undermining of local communities. As the chapters within this book vividly illustrate, the knowledge embedded within traditional and Indigenous heritage fosters communities that possess remarkable resilience against environmental and social challenges, as well as an ability to respond effectively to contemporary issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, post-disaster recovery, and relocation. Regrettably, cultural heritage practices often fail to fully harness the expertise and skills of local communities, undervaluing their potential contributions to finding innovative and resourceful solutions to the issues they face.

In arguing for the necessity of ongoing reflection on the goals, methodologies, funding, and acceptable outcomes of community heritage projects, the volume also highlights the ongoing process of decolonizing Western-centric heritage practices. This involves elevating the voices and perspectives of subaltern groups, granting them a rightful place in the heritage narrative. By examining trends that impact communities and heritage sites across different geographical regions, Communities and Cultural Heritage holds immense appeal to academics, students, and practitioners in the fields of cultural heritage, archaeology, and anthropology across the globe.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367633295