I am a particular fan of the works by Cronon, Marx, and Stilgoe which
have been already mentioned and would add that the idea of stewardship
of the landscape in order to render it productive is an important part
of American history and expansion. Not only could wilderness stand for
irrationality and fear as Stilgoe holds, but he also notes it is
counter to a producer ethos which values a "middle landscape" of
improved, constantly worked land. Blanton similarly notes that "a
mindset among these colonists (was) that it was their rightful place,
even duty, to make the Virginia environment a productive one, which in
their view usually meant imposing an English model" (Rockman and Steele
2003: 191). This idea of a proper aesthetic associated with cultural
values of improvement can also be juxtaposed with the study of
dereliction and revitalization of which Jakle or Hofer would be notable
authors. As an industrial archaeologist I have found these sources to
be important for studying the modern post-industrial landscape in North
America. I am in the process of putting together a session for the SHAs
this year focusing on landscapes of labor and phenomenological
approaches (Tilley 1994) for understanding the goals, values, and
identities of different participants within these contested landscapes.
If anyone is interested in talking more about this please email me
personally.
Regards,
Stathi Pappas
______________________________________________________
Efstathios I. Pappas, MS
Doctoral Student
Department of Anthropology/096
University of Nevada, Reno
Reno, NV 89557
(775) 323-5730
-----Original Message-----
From: Davis, Daniel (KYTC) <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wed, 08 Mar 2006 12:14:27 -0500
Subject: Re: American open spaces
I'm fairly certain that concept is still largely in vogue. The
"wilderness", be
it pasture, forest, or two-lane country road is seen as not being
productive.
Some folks feel that we must "help" these areas reach their full
potential,
which would be the economic gold mines of Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and
strip malls.
Huzzah!
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Ron
May
Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:56 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: American open spaces
The entire concept of undeveloped land has been a cultural thing. Many
early
settlers saw raw, natural land full of gnarly old trees as something
to be
feared, evil and metaphysical that had to be tamed by removing
forests, grading
the land, and harnessing the waters. Ethnic roots of these odd ideas
are
fascinating in themselves.
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.
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