Uses of Heritage

Utilising the latest research, including that from the UK, Australia and the United Sates, this book re-theorizes the idea of heritage. Smith challenges traditional Western definitions of heritage that focus on material and monumental forms of 'old', or aesthetically pleasing, tangible heritage, which are all too often used to promote an unchallenging consensual view of both the past and the present. An alternative conception of heritage is developed which establishes and develops themes of memory, performance, identity, intangibility, dissonance and place. Using this theoretical framework the book explores a number of detailed case studies, which document both the ways in which heritage is used in a socially conservative fashion, and cases where heritage is used to actively question received ideas about identity. In these case studies the links between material culture and identity are identified and explored, based on extensive qualitative and ethnographic research. A picture emerges that suggests people are more active and mindful in their use of 'heritage' than has previously been assumed. Examples include the English country house, industrial social history museums, working class community heritage, international heritage Charters and Conventions, Australian landscapes and Indigenous communities' use of heritage. This challenging and thought provoking work confronts the assumptions often found in the study and use of heritage and will be a valuable resource for students and heritage practitioners.Smith, Laura Jane is the author of 'Uses of Heritage ', published 2007 under ISBN 9780415318310 and ISBN 0415318319.