Attack on memory : forgetting aspects of the past to accommodate the present

Abstract

PURPOSE: This dissertation will attempt to convey how the present societies' standpoint on heritage can be considered as a subtle attack on memory. Memory is defined in a number of ways and this makes the research more interesting as it implies that memory may be approached from a number of different perspectives. Similarly, the value attributed towards sites of historical significance, varies depending on a number of variants, one in particular being the bias with which the heritage is approached. Thus depending on the individual's bias within the professional field, the same site may be attributed with different values. The historic value of a site may be given more importance by some professionals whilst economic value may be considered paramount by others, depending on their particular point of view. Obviously, those upholding the economic value will give more value to the site as being an economical resource and hence may be willing to carry out more changes to the historic fabric than is considered ethically correct far the site. These forms of 'acceptable' changes create an attack on memory which poses a challenge to identify until it is too late. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights the significant role played by decision-makers and those that influence the decision making process. These have the ability to influence what intervention is carried out on heritage sites. ln essence, their knowledge, background and opinion leave an impact on sites of cultural significance and thus can also effect history. The marketing aspect of heritage can be considered far its negative and positive aspects; on the one hand the marketing of heritage encourages people to visit vulnerable siles that can be easily damaged by the large number of visitors and on the other, the same visitors leave a financial income to the host societies.