Fake Heritage : Why We Rebuild Monuments
John Darlington
9780300246766
0-300-24676-5
What happens when the pastor, more specifically, a piece of cultural heritageis fabricated? From 50 replica Eiffel Towers located around the world to Saddam Husseins reconstructions of ancient cities, examples of forged heritage are widespread. Some are easy to dismiss as blatant frauds (the Piltdown Man), while others adhere to honest copying or respectful homage (the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee). This compelling book examines copies of historic buildings, faux archaeological sites, and other false artifacts, using them to explore the ethics and consequences of reconstructing the past; it also tackles the issues involved with faithful, above-board re-creations of ancient landmarks. John Darlington probes questions of historical authenticity, seeking the lessons that lurk when history is twisted to tell an untrue story. Amplified by stunning images, the narrative underscores how the issue of duplicating heritage is both intriguing and incredibly complex, especially in the twenty-first centuryas communication and technology flourish, so too do our opportunities to be deceived.