Cultural heritage refers to the traditions, customs and expressions of communities and societies. These are passed down from generation to generation and provide a sense of identity and continuity.
But cultural boundaries are not always well-defined. Artists, writers, scientists, craftsmen and musicians learn from each other, even if they belong to different cultures far removed in space or time.
What is Cultural Heritage?
Cultural heritage is the non-physical characteristics of a community that provide its sense of identity and continuity. This can include practices and expressions, beliefs, traditions, folklore, languages, cuisine and more. Intangible cultural heritage must be recognized as such by the communities that produce and transmit it. This is why policies on intangible cultural heritage emphasize community stewardship rather than professional determination of its significance.
Cultural heritage can be protected by laws at both the national and international levels, as well as through education and awareness. It is also important to preserve cultural heritage materials, such as historical documents, with tools that enable access and preservation. This is where Transkribus comes in, providing a complete solution for digitising, preserving and making accessible historical documents.
What is the Definition of Cultural Heritage?
The term cultural heritage often brings to mind arts (paintings, prints, mosaics, sculptures), historic monuments and buildings, as well as archaeological sites. However, it is much broader than that. It includes all evidence of human creativity and expression (like neoclassical architecture in Liberian homes built by enslaved Africans) as well as the natural environment including plants and animals and their habitats. It is also a concept that embraces the interconnectedness of different cultures.
It is a fluid concept, constantly changing as value systems evolve. For instance, bad past acts are considered history rather than heritage, so the Holocaust may not be cultural heritage to Germans. The definition of cultural heritage is also dependent on who inherits it. UNESCO has developed several definitions that are used worldwide.
What is the Purpose of Cultural Heritage?
Cultural heritage reflects the rich diversity of our shared humanity and promotes respect for other cultures. It is a source of identity, fosters a sense of belonging, connects us to our ancestors and allows us to learn from the past in order to avoid repeating mistakes and move forward.
Cultural heritage attracts tourists and can stimulate economic development, creating jobs in the tourism sector and other related industries. It also provides income to communities through stewardship of historic sites, collections and activities, such as art exhibitions, music performances, and educational programs.
Preserving cultural heritage requires efforts by individuals, communities, governments and international organizations to document, protect and share. It is vulnerable to natural disasters, human-made accidents and neglect and to deterioration caused by age.
What is the Value of Cultural Heritage?
Cultural heritage is precious because it reflects our shared humanity and serves as a bridge to the past. Its preservation is critical for maintaining diversity, fostering a sense of identity and passing knowledge to future generations.
Cultural heritage often refers to monuments, town sites, archaeological sites, works of art and other material traces that transmit important cultural features. However, it can also include natural landscapes that carry cultural value, such as the Grand Canyon.
While the direct use values of a cultural heritage site can be estimated using market price methods, it is challenging to estimate indirect and intangible nonuse benefits, especially those related to preserving a sense of place. In this case, revealed preference and stated preference techniques may be useful. However, they are not suited for every situation and need to be carefully selected.
What is the Role of Cultural Heritage in Society?
Cultural heritage embodies the legacy of a past civilization and of living cultural traditions. These are a unique, nonrenewable resource that can contribute to economic growth and social cohesion.
Preserving cultural heritage requires a wide range of experts. Conservators, archaeologists, architects and forensic anthropologists work to protect monuments, historical buildings, art, collections, and natural sites. The preservation of intangible heritage such as dances, festivals, languages and traditional skills also needs a multidisciplinary approach.
Unfortunately, many of the world’s cultural heritage sites and objects are endangered by war and conflict, climate change, unsustainable tourism or just neglect and deterioration. International organizations such as UNESCO have developed policies and programmes to protect cultural heritage, but these initiatives need adequate resources. In addition, technology such as Transkribus is needed to digitalize, transcribe and preserve historical documents.