Intangible Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Studies of Social Identity

Introduction: Reconfiguring identities - Intangible Cultural Heritage and Archaeological Studies of Social Identity
Leonora O'Brien
AECOM

Connecting archaeological identities to ethnic and social identity is a contentious area of archaeological and anthropological theory and practice. This session explores debates through the lens of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage came into force in 2006. It defines Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) as the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as the associated instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces – that communities, groups or individuals recognise as part of their cultural heritage. ICH practices are an important component of contemporary cultures, transmitted from generation to generation and providing communities with a sense of identity and continuity. ICH raises questions of authenticity, as practices evolve in the face of globalisation, cultural transformation, conflict and displacement. The ownership of ICH may be contentious. In Scotland the practices of non-indigenous groups are considered equal to those of indigenous groups. Elsewhere ICH has been linked to exclusive ethno-nationalist or ‘authorised heritage’ narratives. Emphasis on ICH by state authorities attracts international prestige and tourist income, but may encourage the commodification of culture.

This session focuses on policy and practice concerned with the identification and safeguarding of ICH: the role of experts, community involvement and participatory approaches to ICH in the context of public value and social inclusion, practical challenges in the implementation and valorisation of intangible heritage studies, conflicting expressions of the past, multivocality and the role of ICH in intercultural.