Theme:
Archaeology and the European Year of Cultural Heritage
Session format:
Session, made up of a combination of papers, max. 15 minutes each
Title:
The Archaeology and heritage of saltscapes: the synergy of environment and culture
Content:
Saltscapes are hybrid landscapes of which determinant factors are or have been the presence of salt and salt related activities. Saltscapes are the results of synergistic interaction of nature and culture. The human impact on the saltscapes is far from being limited just to the elements of material and immaterial culture. Often human activities have triggered natural processes that have severely affected the evolution of the geomorphology, fauna and flora within the saltscapes. Besides the cognitive potential concerning the past of human societies and cultures, saltscapes provide a huge cognitive potential concerning the history of nature. Hence, the study of the archaeology and heritage of saltscapes should include, besides the evidence of anthropogenic nature, the whole spectrum of paleo-environmental and the present-day environmental evidence.
The saltscapes have rarely been acknowledged as valuable landscapes from the point of view of their combined natural and cultural heritage. Some have been protected by law, but little effect has been found on site. Rather, what seems to work as an efficient protection mechanism is the sustainable use of these landscapes, via local socioeconomic development strategies based on the products and services they can offer (wellness and health, eco-cultural tourism, gastronomy, education, etc.).
The session is addressed to scholars and heritage managers interested in a holistic approach to the landscape and the safeguarding and sustainable use of the cultural, historical and natural values of saltscapes.
Keywords:
Archaeology, Saltscapes, Synergy, Nature, Culture
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Main organiser:
Dr Valerii Kavruk (Romania) 1,2
Co-organisers:
PhD Katia Hueso Kortekaas (Spain) 3,4
Affiliations:
1. The Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iași Romania
2. The Museum of Eastern Carpathians, Sfântu Gheorghe Romania
3. ICAI School of Engineering – Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid
4. IPAISAL (Institute of Saltscapes and Salt Heritage)
THIS SESSION CAN NOT BE SELECTED AT THIS MOMENT