Paper short abstract:

Landscape-rooted (in)tangible heritage elements are investigated on the example of Ethnographic Landscape of Sklavokampos on Crete. By reading memoryscape and languagescape, rethinking the islandscape, the researcher questions desirable trends in integrative conservation of Mediterranean landscape.

Paper long abstract:

The researcher examines two-way interactions between landscape, as culturally framed physical environment, and identity, memory and heritage, i.e. encrypted landscapes, embodying the intangible within the tangible. These landscape-rooted (in)tangible heritage elements are investigated on the example of the (Ethnographic) Landscape of Sklavokampos on Crete (Greece). The ancient area of Sklavokampos was a crossing point, a transit area to the Minoan peak sanctuary landscape of Filiorimos and the town of Rethymno. Gonies, as one of the largest villages in the region, with a very strong pastoralist and agricultural economy, significantly contributed to the culture and history of the island. Nevertheless, post-World War II out-migration and urbanization severely depopulated the village and its surroundings. The research focuses on how the landscape is represented in memory, language and (in)tangible heritage, and what this reveals about the relationships of people to place and to land. By undertaking such a research, it is possible to assess the impacts of historical events and traditional practices on the landscape, "memoryscape", "languagescape" and heritage, within "islandscape", in order to allow comparative analysis with any other rural or Mediterranean landscape. In such a way, conclusions can be made about whether or not the current tendencies of Public participation, through Community archaeology, or creative industries, represent a desirable tool in heritage conservation, or whether there is a historical trend in the way the local community have responded to economic rapid change, globalization, emigration and/or immigration, which will interpret the current situation and recommend future potential trends in Heritage Management.