The entanglement of the heritage paradigm: values, meanings and uses

Abstract

This paper explores the ways in which heritage as a practice and concept has been used and diverse meanings and values ascribed to heritage by different claimants, using the medieval site of Ani in eastern Turkey as a case study. On one hand, the site marks a point of conflict between Turks and Armenians, with the heritage and the past of the site playing an important role for identity making and construction of national narratives, as well as developing what might be seen as the authorised heritage discourses for both sides. On other hand, the local community around the site has developed a different relationship to the site Ani because of their daily relationship with its landscape and built environment. This has revealed meaning and values embodied in the site that are beyond the national and political level. This paper considers to what extent the built environment in particular, can play a role in identity making and add to the political tension. It also examines how the value and meaning of a heritage site can be distinct for local communities from national political meanings and uses, and, as a consequence, can be used to resist authorised heritage discourses.

Keywords:

• Heritage
• value
• sense of place
• memory
• identity

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank community members for taking part in this study. I would also like to thank to reviewers of this paper and the editor of International Journal of Heritage Studies for their great, helpful and critical comments.

Notes

1. Hattusa is a capital of Hittite Empire that is located in the central Northwest of Turkey.

2. http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6035/.

3. see http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1452.

4. The Sultan of the Seljuk Empire, AD 1029–1072.

5. https://historymuseum.am/en/exhibitions/past_exhibitions/Ani-Capital-Of-Armenia-1050.