BOOK REVIEW: Roberta Gilchrist. Sacred Heritage: Monastic Archaeology, Identities, Beliefs (original) (raw)

Roberta Gilchrist's "Sacred Heritage: Monastic Archaeology, Identities, Beliefs" explores the interrelationship between monastic archaeology and critical heritage studies through various case studies and theoretical reflections. The book challenges traditional views of archaeology as an objective field by demonstrating the cultural and ideological influences that shape archaeological practices and representations of religious heritage. By analyzing historical examples, such as the Glastonbury excavations and Iona Abbey project, Gilchrist reveals how conceptions of "authenticity" are constructed and manipulated, thus urging for a more nuanced understanding of sacred heritage in its social and political contexts.