Identifying a Heritage Site

‘World Heritage’ is a relatively modern, 20^th century notion derived from concepts such as ‘cultural property’ and ‘historic monument’. The term itself reaches beyond the realms of art and architecture into humanities different cultures. There was a time when the worlds of art, architecture and culture were as mutually exclusive as were different religions. However, they are now being discovered and enjoyed as those of the whole humanity.

Heritage sites exhibit an interchange of human values within a cultural area of the world and are thus perceived as masterpieces of human creative genius. They serve as both a basis for understanding the past and as a foundation for the future. Identification of the inherent historical, artistic and scientific values of a site is an open ended process and deepens as the scientific and cultural awareness of the society develops.

Interpretations vary according to personal identification and attachment to the existing physical fabric of the site. These relics of the past belong to the current as well as previous occupants, local history, and world history and to the user and visitor alike. It is a complex system where the internal spaces are as important as the external and its interpretation is both deep and superficial.

A claim for ownership arises from the identification of heritage assets which then leads to a desire for protection. Protection in the form of conservation and management should aim to preserve the cultural values of these sites so that they maybe bestowed to future generations. Heritage sites are now being valued for their commercial fortunes, as mere tourism products. They are now in danger of being turned into theatrical sets, where historic reality plays a rather meagre role and heritage tourism plays the main lead.