Beieškant genius loci: archeologijos paveldas

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Vietos dvasia; Genius loci; Archeologijos paveldas.

ENIn 2008, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) approved 'The Quebec Declaration on the Preservation of the Spirit of the Place'. The aim of this paper is to discuss the issues of the preservation of the spirit of the place in the context of archaeological heritage. The communities which 'created' and 'inherited' the archaeological heritage of today are distanced in time: the 'distancing', 'oblivion', the 'gap' in continuity which cannot be overcome without special knowledge, methods and technologies of the discipline of archaeology, in other words, without the expert point of view, is one of the characteristics defining archaeological heritage. It means that the objects of archaeological heritage are in no way related to modern society or a particular community, while society 'does not recognize' and does not understand most of the objects of archaeological heritage without adequately presented information. Contemporary 'interpretative archaeology' is distinguished by its openness and proposes the rethinking of the discipline of archaeology, the relationship between the protection of archaeological heritage and society as the public interest in archaeological heritage as such is not an objectively existing phenomenon. The identification of potential communities which would be willing and capable of becoming 'creators' and 'protectors' of the spirit of a place are relevant to the creation of that spirit.Society is becoming increasingly active in voicing its opinion about the protection of and research into archaeological heritage. In future, its role in all stages of decision-making related with archaeological heritage will be more prominent. It is obvious that in future the protection of archaeological heritage will no longer be focused on objects alone, and will have to change its orientation to include local and ideological communities, the members of which will be willing not only to passively observe the processes of the protection of archaeological heritage, but also to take part in them. Therefore it is no less important to perceive and assess the interests of different groups with regard to archaeological heritage, to predict potential conflicts and be prepared for their resolution not only for physical protection of a heritage object or research, but also for its interpretation. The role of the archaeologist, not only as a researcher concerned with the protection of archaeological sources but also as an active interpreter and moderator, is gaining in significance. This is because archaeological heritage, which is becoming an ever more important 'participant' of modern life, is searching for its genius loci. [From the publication]