Valuing aboriginal artifacts: a combined revealed-stated preference approach

This paper examines the value of unique aboriginal cultural resources using joint revealed-stated preference methods. Our methodology exploits knowledge of previous choices from both the revealed and stated preference data to account for state dependence. We also incorporate procedures to address correlation among the data sources. The empirical application involves the discovery of aboriginal rock paintings along wilderness canoe routes in eastern Manitoba, Canada. A 4-year study of wilderness recreation trips included an SP experiment in which canoeists were asked if they would change their site choices in response to the presence of two types of rock paintings: a “pristine” painting and another spoiled by vandals. Mean welfare measures for the presence of “pristine” paintings at two canoe routes were about $61 and $77 per trip, respectively. Vandalized pictographs are worth considerably less.