Overwhelmed with Possibilities: Interpreting Archaeological and Other Heritage Resources in Urban Areas (original) (raw)
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INTERPRETATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES THE CASE: BOSTON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN THE U.S.A.
This study focuses on how heritage interpretation can be planned and operated as an integral part of a site management process. The ICOMOS Charter for the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites, which was initiated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), offers professional principles for effectively interpreting cultural heritage sites. The Charter principles include ‘access and understanding’, soundness of ‘information sources’, attention to ‘setting and context’, preservation of ‘authenticity’, planning for ‘sustainability’, concern for ‘inclusiveness’, and importance of ‘research, evaluation and training’. Considering the necessity of correlating these international principles with interpretation practices, this study analyzes and assesses interpretation practices at the Boston National Historical Park, a unit of the National Park Service in the US; and at the same time tests the practicality of the Charter principles. This park is composed of eight nationally significant historical sites located separately in an urban context. Certain aspects of the park that affect the effectiveness of its interpretation activities i.e., management policies, organizational model, partnerships with stakeholders, fiscal resources, management planning, and interpretive planning have been examined. Besides, on-site interpretation at three sites of the park - the Charlestown Navy Yard, Old South Meeting House and Paul Revere House- have been analyzed within the ICOMOS Charter framework. Finally, recommendations have been developed for the ongoing work of the ICOMOS, for the Boston National Historical Park as well as for other cultural heritage sites. Keywords: Interpretation, Cultural Heritage, National Park Service, Boston National Historical Park, ICOMOS Charter
Hungarian archaeology, 2020
As heritage managers and interpretation experts, we increasingly have the opportunity to contribute to projects focusing on showcasing heritage values and audience development. Thereby, our work involves most of the time collaborative learning about the possible role of interpretation in presenting cultural heritage. Notably, not all presentations are necessarily interpretive too, and the task of heritage interpreters is not only to present archaeological heritage to audiences in comprehensible and exciting ways. Helping to establish a bond between heritage and the people is among our most important missions, thus preserving heritage. However, we also have to 'value' heritage, not simply 'evaluate', or 'assess'. As unusual as the interpretive practice seems in the Hungarian heritage scene, the more necessary it is. Why? This is what we are trying to highlight in regard to a particular project. Archaeologists can make a significant impact on culture by discovering lost phenomena and related meanings or creating new meanings in connection to specific sites. Inherently, their work may disrupt the already established ways of engagement people had towards heritage; this may rejuvenate existing connections, confront others and create new ones. Problems arise when one faces the following questions regarding cultural phenomena in connection to particular places: by whom and how far are local phenomena considered significant? Who should care for them and why? In other words: whose heritage are we talking about? This is when the role of interpretation comes into the picture, which can be best described in the following way: there is a need for designing a communication process, which creates meaningful links between the people and the given place, and there is also a need for interactions, which influence what we hold valuable about places, how we appreciate these values and what we do with them. The most important tool to influence such connections is interpretation, the success of which lies in providing first-hand experience, while also enabling individuals to live through different types and qualities of experiences. Its function and message is not about presenting a large amount of data, but rather the essence of the place, conveyed in a focused and coherent way. At the same time, the interpretive message can and should be relevant (both comprehensible and interesting) to its target audiences, in a way that a communication channel opens, through which past and present realities meet and collide. This latter we find important, as providing clues-or referential points-for individual and collective identities is central to the concept of heritage. Based on this, one should underline that interpretation is much more than experiential presentation. It has a mission-just like heritage sites do. Interpretive evaluation is partly about the investigation into how far this mission is fulfilled. On the other hand, it is instrumental for getting to know the potential 'heirs.' In order to appropriately consider them in relation to any particular place, one has to value them, to know who they are, why they come to visit, and what experiences they would bring home.
The archaeological site of Pella - Jordan: A case study of how to develop the interpretation of archaeological heritage visitor attraction, 2018
B y the mid 1970s, the development of monumental and archaeological sites for the purpose of tourism became an aspect of national programs throughout Jordan. The Ministry of Tourism had established divisions and/or departments devoted to surveying, assessing, conserving, and managing historic and archaeological monuments and sites. Many initiatives were developed to manage and then interpret archaeological sites for the wider public. Despite these initiatives , archaeological sites in Jordan now face problems, such as unclear or undefined roles among management and development units. Further, issues of interpretation are rarely considered prior to starting management projects at sites that are opened to tourists. The concept of interpretive planning has not spread throughout many of Jordan's archaeological sites because of the lack of interpretive programs for the public.This lack of planning results in generations of local communities living in isolation from their cultural heritage. Moreover, much of the work of the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Antiquities is taken up with projects in Jordan's largest archaeological and tourist sites, such as Petra and Jarash, which are better known than peripheral sites like Pella (modern Tabqat Fahl). As a result, understanding the monumental remains and the immediate environment is difficult. Here I argue for the foundation of a more extensive inter-pretive program for the site of Pella. I examine the existing in-terpretive material and related infrastructure-signage to and within the site, brochures, and trails, as well as on-site interpre-tive plans-and suggest realistic ways in which the monuments at the site can be connected conceptually by means of a network of mutual support and interpretation. The goals of this study are to support the ongoing initiatives of cultural heritage managers, and to serve as a basis for a better understanding of the values and significance of archaeological sites related to the needs and expectations of tourists and visitors. What Is Interpretation? Heritage interpretation is the art of explaning the significance of a heritage site to visitors, with the aim of promoting an appreciation of its value and of the need to preserve heritage resources, both tangible and intangible. Freeman Tilden (1957: 8) identifies interpretation as "an activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by firsthand experience, and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information. " The ICOMOS Ename Charter (2008) considers interpretation to be "the carefully planned public explanation or discussion of a cultural heritage site, encompassing its full significance, multiple meanings and values. " Moscardo (1998) agrees with Hall and McArthur (1993) and Aplin (2002) that interpretation has powerful political , economic, social, and cultural implications, and is able to Pella, view of the site (photo by Jean Housen, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons).
Background This guideline aims to help heritage site managers and site interpreters understand and improve visitors’ experience in their cultural heritage sites. It offers a practical approach and assumes visitor appreciation and understanding as a core part of a successful interpretation and presentation strategy. It also recognizes that for cultural heritage sites, the quality of the knowledge and experience that visitors gain from the story, as well as the historical and cultural significance of the place are the key factors in building awareness and sustaining interest. Objectives The cultural significance of some cultural heritage assets is easy to understand; however, less-prominent structural heritage assets or archaeological sites where physical evidence is often minimal, require further interpretation efforts in order to be appreciated. It is simple to describe the tangible elements of the cultural heritage asset because physical characteristics appeal more easily to the senses. However, it would be a challenge to link this appreciation to the more salient, intangible points of the cultural heritage asset. The goal of heritage interpretation is to engage visitors while challenging them to understand the value of a cultural heritage asset.
The Museum Review, 2019
Northwest Florida encompasses a variety of cultural resources, including many small museums and historical societies that are dedicated to local heritage tourism and preservation. However, these resources are not widely known and the area is mainly recognized for its white beaches along its coast. In 2016, the University of West Florida’s Florida Public Archaeology Network began an initiative to conduct an assessment of cultural heritage tourism in the region based on the United States’ National Trust for Historic Preservation’s principles for successful heritage tourism. With the cooperation of stakeholders such as local museums and the Panhandle Historic Preservation Alliance, the goal was to identify aspects that can be improved specifically in small museums for achieving a more collaborative and harmonized cultural heritage tourism strategy and museums management. Following the development of criteria for museum assessment and presenting the outcome of the assessment, the current research identifies potentials in the management of these museums and outlines an approach for improving cultural heritage tourism and historic preservation for these museums in the future.
Incorporating a Tourism Agenda in Public Archaeology Work
Initiatives for the development of heritage tourism in a locality could be integrated in Public Archaeology. This is shown by a case study of the annual field schools of the Archaeological Studies Program of the University of the Philippines. There are at least five field schools where work of this kind has been done, namely in the Oriental Mindoro municipalities of Naujan, Bongabong, Bulalacao, and San Teodoro; and Opol, a municipality of Misamis Oriental. An archaeological project in El Nido, Palawan has also been included in this paper because it likewise has a thrust for Public Archaeology. From an examination of the work done in the field schools, it appears that a good program related to local tourism development includes an identification of stakeholders, making the development of local tourism a priority, identification of markets, and a strong sense of heritage among the cultural claimants.
Cultural Heritage Interpretation
Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology, 2020
This is an overview of the philosophy an history of the public interpretation and presentation of cultural heritage sites. The article contains an extensive bibliography and further reading suggestions.