The inscription of the art of building with dry stone in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, arguments and challenges

The drystone heritage includes both the practice and its rules and the concrete works which are all significant from functional, landscape and identity points of view. The properties of universality and timelessness are also attributed to this heritage. Possible to verify for its ordinary and rural expression, these properties coexist simultaneously with personalized and located versions that underline the singularities of places, groups and individuals. A trend towards technical performance and artistic aesthetics is occasionally coming up and is currently increasing. The inscription of the drystone knowledge and know-how in the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity allows the recognition of its values and ensures its exercise both by communities and distinct persons through exchanges of good practices. The analysis of the strategies, phases and results obtained and expected from this process makes explicit what is at stake for the future. © 2020 Asociacion Granadina de Antropologia. All rights reserved.