Linking Cultural Materialism and Conservation Gabriel Caballero, Ellyn Matta & Lauren Clark World Heritage Studies Programme Brandenburgische Technische Universität Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany ABSTRACT This paper problematizes the theory of Cultural Materialism and its influence in conservation perspectives. In the texts of Harris (2008), Bloch (2008) and Meskell (2012), the motivations of conservation were identified in the scenarios of India, Madagascar and South Africa, based on what these authors have presented. The texts were analyzed to reveal how Cultural Materialist theory was strongly or weakly applicable to conservation efforts for the specific scenarios. What Harris (1999) calls as the ‘primacy of infrastructure’ is not always the case in several instances. Conservation is not merely motivated by the improvement of the quality of life of people or protecting biodiversity. Economics, politics, ideology, religion, race and ancestry are just some elements in and outside of the mode of production that also fuel conservation strategies. Each location (natural, cultural or mixed area) will have its own aims and priorities for conservation, based on their specific context. KEYWORDS: Cultural Materialism, Conservation, Nature Conservation, Cultural Studies, Cultural Theory, Marvin Harris, Lynn Meskell, Maurice Bloch INTRODUCTION “Could collectors buy ecosystems as they do painting and bronzes, they might value the natural heritage more highly, but having to leave it undisturbed in situ would deter all but the most selfless philanthropist.” ‐ Lowenthal & Olwig, 2013 The quote above adequately describes the unfortunate reality of conservation, in that it is often directly connected with the motive of profit. The materialistic nature of society frequently takes over the moral and ethical needs to conserve natural and cultural heritage. It is here that this paper begins to look at three different case studies using Marvin Harris’ theory of Cultural Materialism to help to understand the causal effects found in varying