Har utmarka blitt historie?

Abstract

Over the past hundred years we have seen a wide-ranging agricultural land abandonment process and land-use transformation with respect to the outfields of rural areas. In addition, large outfield areas have been protected as nature reserves and national parks, concealing their cultural legacy. Despite a shift in the landscape’s status and its diminished importance to rural livelihoods, we have witnessed a broadened interest in the cultural heritage of outlying fields. This is apparent not least in the fact that the historical remains and cultural landscape of outfield areas have come to the forefront of national cultural heritage policy, are targets for tourism initiatives, and have been at the core of local identity struggles. This chapter takes as its point of departure the growing field of heritage politics in present day society through a focus on the many actors’ engagement with different aspects of the past in relation to landscape characteristics and historical remains in outfield areas. The aim is to provide insight into ways the past is managed and engaged in certain political, economic and social contexts, as a background to reflect on diverse aspects of cultural heritage, social justice related to its management, and its value for local communities. Cultural heritage policy and practices contribute to the varying uses of outfield areas, affecting ways people perceive the landscape, dwell within it, and – despite the potential for conflict of interest – see future opportunities.