Introduction

Archaeological sites and materials possess economic value or economic capital – the ability to generate financial benefits through a variety of activities (Burtenshaw, 2014; Mason, 1999). Despite its widespread use, this ability has an uncomfortable relationship with archaeology’s other capitals or values. Economic value is often seen as distinct from, and indeed threatening to, cultural heritage’s social and cultural values. This tension is perhaps most intense when considering its use as a tourism resource, which some may view as a necessary burden to be able to support the preservation of archaeology and attract funds and attention from stakeholders to support other activities. While the tensions between different uses of archaeology are understandable, this chapter suggests that a binary view is unhelpful and unnecessary. The position of archaeology’s economic capital is reviewed, its relationship with other values discussed, and empirical material from Kilmartin Glen in Scotland is presented to demonstrate the complex and inter-dependent relationship of archaeology’s values. The economic uses of archaeology, including through tourism, should be seen in a complex relationship with its other values which can be positive or negative depending on management.

The Economic Value of Archaeology

A major part of cultural heritage management is understanding why people may find a particular tangible or intangible item of heritage important. Values have been the main analytical tool to assess the significance and qualities of heritage, attempting to break down the overall significance or importance of heritage into different characteristics (Mason & Avarami, 2002). Exactly how to categorize the significance of heritage, including archaeological remains, and divide its various characteristics into values has been a matter of debate with several typologies suggested (Mason, 2008; Throsby, 2001; Timothy & Boyd, 2003). A selection of values that have been proposed include aesthetic value, informational or scientific value, symbolic or identity value, spiritual value and historical value to name a few. These values can overlap and have different meanings depending on the typology used.