Globalization has brought people closer together than ever before, creating an unprecedented exchange of ideas, art, and culture. However, as cultural heritage increasingly becomes a commercial commodity and people from different backgrounds interact, issues surrounding heritage preservation become increasingly complex. UNICEF Culture and Development Chief, Yvette Mango, once said, “We cannot choose to let cultural heritage fall apart, as its demise will lead to the loss of a true part of ourselves.” In this article, we shall explore the complexities of global culture and heritage preservation issues, examining what current preservation efforts entail, what factors threaten the preservation of cultural heritage, and the role technology plays in both preserving and destroying heritage.
Current Preservation Efforts
Globalization, tourism, war, climate change, and global capitalism are all major factors threatening the preservation of cultural heritage. Yet many individuals, organizations, and nations are working hard to mitigate the effects of these threats.
One such response is the “conservation project,” in which heritage sites are archaeologically documented or overhauled to enhance the aesthetics of the site. These projects are often undertaken by western organizations in partnership with local governments or communities, a practice with historical ties to colonialism. Nonetheless, preservation efforts like The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and World Heritage Alliance have restored and conserved numerous projects of cultural heritage and continue to work with nations in need around the world. National Geographic Society has also recently launched a new program to further promote and preserve cultural heritage themes.
Threats to Preservation
One major threat to heritage preservation is tourism, which places commercial value over heritage. UNESCO World Heritage sites, for example, dwarfed by vast crowds of tourists, often suffer irreversible harm. Additionally, archaeological sites become vulnerable to looting since they become tourist destinations.
Another significant factor is war and terrorism, leading to substantial damage and loss to cultural heritage in regions facing the destructions of the ISIS Militants. In many cases, historical sites have been swiped out as collateral damage, and others have become targets of extremist groups seeking to dismantle cultural or religious monuments that they claim to be icons of a culture. Also, besides the most common understanding that economic development can lead to destruction, any natural phenomenon, urbanization, and industrialization can contribute to the destruction of cultural heritage.
The Role of Technology in Preservation and Destruction
Technology has played a crucial role in heritage preservation, digitizing artifacts in digital archives for easier preservation. Using 3D modeling, virtual tours, and even augmented reality devices for visitors to travel through monuments reconstructed in a virtual environment and even summon the digital artefacts of the ancient world in one’s living room.
Meanwhile, technology is also a significant threat to heritage preservation. With web platforms like eBay, ancient objects looted by violent extremists are readily available for purchase on the internet. Geolocated information can reveal the physical location of objects, aiding looters in finding and stealing artifacts.
Conclusion
The preservation of cultural heritage is a vital humanitarian to ensure that our world does not lose an essential part of our human identity. While there are fundamental obstacles to this goal, including economic development, war, and terrorism, numerous initiatives worldwide are working to fight these challenges. Technology plays a vital role in both preserving and destroying cultural heritage, posing new and unheralded challenges and opportunities. In concluding, it is our hope that more efforts and partnerships will arise, working towards the prevention of further destruction, looting, and the preservation of global cultures for future generations.
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