Lesson 1: Cultural Heritage: Main Concepts and Definitions

Cultural Heritage Values

Historical values are at the root of the very notion of heritage. The capacity of a site to convey, embody, or stimulate a relation or reaction to the past is part of the fundamental nature and meaning of heritage objects. Educational/academic value is a type of historical value.

Use values are market values—the ones most easily assigned a price. Use values of material heritage refer to the goods and services that flow from it that are tradable and priceable in existing markets. For instance, admission fees for a historic site, the cost of land, and the wages of workers are values.

According to Simon Thurley (2005) The Heritage Cycle helps us see connection between enjoying,understanding, valuing heritage, and wanting to care for it. Namely:

• Understanding cultural heritage helps people value it

• By valuing cultural heritage, people want to care for it