Against a Discourse Based on Values? Disputes and Archaeological Heritage

Discourses based on the values of archaeological heritage are key for justifying its legal protection, public spending, and management. There are multiple values of archaeological heritage, such as historical, scientific, aesthetic, economic, symbolic, and, significantly, social. Contestation among heritage values is a normal feature. Qualitative research into the disputes in different cultural landscapes indicates that values are politically deployed when framing disputes. These frames define disputes, suggest how they should be solved, and influence who is legitimate to participate. Drawing on two cases of interaction between heritage authorities and civil society in two World Heritage cities, the appropriateness of the concept of heritage values is put into question for contexts of archaeological disputes. They should be further researched to consider the participative turn in heritage that is increasingly demanded.