Assessing the Values of Archaeological Heritage

Abstract

The main aim of this paper involves contributing to the discussion around the value of archaeological heritage through the lens of an economist. The path taken to achieve this main goal included three objectives. Firstly, there is the contribution towards clarifying the concept of archaeological heritage benefits by highlighting the complexity that stems directly from its holistic characteristic. Secondly, this also contributes to assessments of archaeological heritage economic and social benefits and values by demonstrating how they may be captured by means of a single variable measured in monetary units. Furthermore, and thirdly, this then helps explain how such a monetary variable may prove of use both to cultural heritage management for sustainable preservation and conservation improvement, and to the appraisal of the total private and public benefits arising out of preservation and conservation archaeologic heritage programs.