Cultural heritage is a complex concept, one that encapsulates both tangible and intangible aspects of a community’s identity. The term is used to refer to the legacy of a society, including monuments and buildings, art and artifacts, natural landscapes, as well as broader cultural traditions, like oral history, dance, and music. The preservation of these facets of culture is vital to the human experience, providing an invaluable link with the past and serving as an inspiration for the future.
Cultural heritage, like the physical environment in which it is entangled, is unique and irreplaceable. Yet, in spite of its intrinsic value, heritage is often threatened by both direct and indirect pressures that threaten to erode its significance and impact. In some cases, the threat is as dramatic as an ethnic or religious genocide. In other instances, the threats are more subtle, such as cultural appropriation and neglect. Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of a culture, such as clothing, fashion trends, and spiritual practices like yoga, are commercialized without consideration for their origins. Neglect, on the other hand, is when heritage is not given priority, causing traditional sites to deteriorate, languages to die, and craft skills to disappear.
The preservation of cultural heritage is a complex and interwoven process, requiring the protection of physical objects as well as preserving intangible aspects of culture. The preservation of cultural heritage also requires a balance between the interests of private and public entities, and the need to ensure that a property has a shared value amongst the public. For example, the neoclassical architecture of Eastern State Penitentiary may be privately owned by the state of Pennsylvania, but it can still be considered part of the cultural heritage of the region because of its historic and symbolic meaning.
Those who research heritage have found that a stronger sense of cultural identity and pride can help people cope with current challenges and inspire them to design their own futures. This is why many efforts are underway to bring more rigor to the estimation of the financial and societal values of heritage and strengthen connections between heritage professionals and communities.
For example, many nonprofit organizations, such as the Florida Public Archaeology Network and the Maine Midden Minders, are working to document heritage at risk of being lost due to climate change. They are also engaging with local communities to build momentum and raise awareness of the importance of protecting and sustaining heritage in the face of climate change.
In addition, new technologies such as 3D documentation and virtual reality tours can help to create a more engaging experience for the public, and can even serve as an alternative to visiting physically threatened cultural sites. Ultimately, however, the most important thing is to connect with communities to develop sustainable strategies for the protection of their cultural heritage in the face of changing conditions. This can be done through education, community-driven upkeep and creative reuse, and by fostering a sense of stewardship between the public and the professionals that care for their cultural heritage.