Serial properties and heritage interpretation. Lessons from the Israeli Biblical Tels inscription

Abstract

ABSTRACT World Heritage serial properties are groupings of several heritage component parts that share common themes and values. This paper examines how these serial properties, as well as their individual component parts, are influenced by serial interpretive dynamic, and how this dynamic affects on-site interpretation. We demonstrate these issues through the Israeli serial property inscription of the Biblical Tels – Megiddo, Hazor, Beer-Sheba (2005). We chart the revisions along the inscription process to point out the presence of an interpretive dynamic. We describe interpretive dynamic as the effect of the justifications of the nomination over heritage significance and interpretation, both within the realm of World Heritage and in each heritage property locally. This paper concludes that interpretive dynamic is an inevitable part of the serial process. We argue that the dynamic represents a gap between the frequent use of series as an inscription catalyst and their essence as value-oriented constructs. Considering this, we criticise the overuse of serial inscriptions and call for a revised definition that re-addresses the important place of interpretation in this process.