>One pretty realistic thought (and possibly a plan) is that whatever we decide to do now will be considered as historically
>very significant and interesting in about 50 years from now. Why not simply rely on that, trust our local governments and
>stop all this scheduling?
Another pretty realistic thought is that whatever we do people in 50 years time will think it is bizarre and probably reprehensible.
All the best
Sarah
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cornelius Holtorf
Sent: 05 January 2011 11:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Of interest to list members
As always, an interesting link you sent.
I noted the quote at the end that "It's possible that in 20 years' time people will think differently about them. But that's going to be too late for the Excalibur." Yes indeed, but should we conserve everything of which it is possible that in 20 years' time people will think differently about them? What would be excluded then? What is the use of all this stuff during all those years when it sits there and waits for significance to arrive?
I am so tired of this naive Apocalyptic rhetoric that has been with the heritage sector pretty much since its beginnings I suppose. Especially when it goes against the express preferences of the local community and its local government.
What about if the Estate Excalibur was conserved and people in 20 years would no longer appreciate it: should it be demolished then, or would we apply the same logic once again? Do all major heritage decisions have to be postponed for ever? Where does that get us?
Once again it becomes obvious that the entire heritage sector bases its conservation reasoning on assumptions about the future without having any kind of grasp on what to expect in the future or how to proceed then. Even though we cannot predict the future (any more than the past) there is something called planning and thinking.
One pretty realistic thought (and possibly a plan) is that whatever we decide to do now will be considered as historically very significant and interesting in about 50 years from now. Why not simply rely on that, trust our local governments and stop all this scheduling?
Cornelius
----
Cornelius Holtorf
Archaeology, School of Cultural Sciences Linnaeus University
391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
http://www.lnu.se
http://web.comhem.se/cornelius
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MAY, Sarah
Sent: den 5 januari 2011 11:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Of interest to list members
Hi,
Here's an article from the Guardian on the planned redevelopment of an estate of post-war prefabs. I'm depressed by the fact that EH are only allowed to list buildings that have few if any modifications. I suppose its in keeping with the idea of preservation, but it cuts across the grain of both heritage and life. That being said, I suspect there are many ways to work with the heritage of this place that might make more impact than preserving it whole. I'm also interested in the DCMS response about local democracy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/jan/02/postwar-prefab-houses-demolition-london
All the best
Sarah
Visit the new English Heritage website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk . The site has a new, dedicated section for heritage professionals: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional together with information on days out http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout, heritage news http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news, looking after listed properties http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/your-property and the latest information on heritage protection: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing.
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contemp-hist-arch is a list for news and events in contemporary and historical archaeology, and for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group.
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For email subscription options see:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/contemp-hist-arch.html
-------
Visit the CHAT website for more information and for future meeting dates:
http://www.contemp-hist-arch.ac.uk
--------------------------
Visit the new English Heritage website: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk . The site has a new, dedicated section for heritage professionals: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/professional together with information on days out http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout, heritage news http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/news, looking after listed properties http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/your-property and the latest information on heritage protection: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/caring/listing.
--------------------------
contemp-hist-arch is a list for news and events
in contemporary and historical archaeology, and
for announcements relating to the CHAT conference group.
-------
For email subscription options see:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/contemp-hist-arch.html
-------
Visit the CHAT website for more information and for future meeting dates:
http://www.contemp-hist-arch.ac.uk
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