Knowledge and Context. The Social Life of Objects

The intangible heritage which seems to have the greatest bearing on objects/artefacts are knowledge systems and life ways related to the specific objects but not part thereof. Objects do not speak for culture, or are instrumental reflections thereof unless an extensive body of knowledge/intangible heritage is attached to them. The question remains; what kind of intangible heritage/traditional knowledge should, and must, be added to reach the objective of telling fairly complete and appropriate stories through objects, thereby making objects speak for culture?