Protecting the Value of Archaeological Heritage: Frame of Reference in Value Assessments

Abstract

Today archaeological research goals in the field of heritage management are shaped by the possibilities and limitations of value assessments that can provide clear and justified statements that support decisions on employed protection systems and management methods. But the reliability of value assessments is related to the existing knowledge about spatial and temporal features of a particular element of archaeological heritage as an insight into the distribution and relative preservation of a certain type of archaeological remains. Because of that, the lack of regional archaeological research is still the most common obstacle in the development of specific evaluation methods and meaningful evaluation criteria. As comparability of value judgments is the basic prerequisite of any effective evaluation and the most significant element of the value formulation process, the most important factor of the assessment becomes the frame of reference in relation to which the value judgements are made. Based on two case studies which cover different Bronze Age settlements with regionally specific types of preserved architectural elements, the authors will show the significance and meaning of the frame of reference in the process of value assessment. Development of such a system aims, not only to enable a deeper understanding of specific types of archaeological remains but also to provide the basis for the development of predictive modelling and implementation of the systems of expected values in heritage evaluation as an essential prerequisite for the effective process of archaeological heritage management.