Cultural heritage refers to physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that have been inherited from their past. These attributes are of great value for those societies and can be used as a means to connect the past with the future. These heritage features include traditions, values and beliefs as well as tangible artifacts and buildings.
The concept of cultural heritage is an essential one for many countries. It defines who a nation is, its culture and how it has evolved through time. It also helps people to understand other cultures around the world. In some cases, cultural heritage can even serve as a means to bring nations together.
Often, heritage sites and museums are the most obvious examples of cultural heritage. However, this is a very broad concept. It can include any aspect of a culture from a specific dance to the theory of Maslov’s Piramid. What is deemed as cultural heritage can change from person to person based on their own social beliefs and how they see the world. This is why it’s important for governments and other organizations to create guidelines that are clear and consistent to prevent misinterpretation and confusion.
Intangible cultural heritage can be difficult to protect because it is more abstract than a building or a painting. It can be influenced by other cultures, even those that are far away in space and time. For example, the African masks that Paul Gauguin used as inspiration were a part of a culture that was different from his own. Even though they were separate, their cultural heritage was a catalyst for change in his work. The influence of intangible heritage can also extend to other cultural practices such as music, food or clothing.
Protecting cultural heritage is a complex process and requires a combination of factors, including preservation, research, education, tourism and economic development. The importance of this is reflected in the inclusion of cultural heritage as one of the Sustainable Development Goals. However, there are many challenges to preserving cultural heritage, such as the deterioration of materials due to climate change and overuse, and the lack of resources and funding for conservation.
Many of these issues can be solved with cooperation between cultural heritage custodians and those who can help to organize and manage funds. Creating a partnership between these groups can lead to innovative solutions and methods that can be applied worldwide.
A recent study on the use of geospatial tools for cultural heritage documentation in Central Australia has shown that communities can keep their own digital records, rather than relying on outside institutions to do it for them. This approach enables community control over their own cultural heritage, while still using the tools and methods of heritage science. It can be particularly useful for Indigenous communities, as it allows them to keep data on their own culture in ways that respect and incorporate traditional knowledge systems and protocols. It is an exciting development for the future of heritage work.