A professional field and academic discipline, it focuses on the preservation of tangible cultural heritage, such as archaeological sites, historic buildings, and traditional cultural properties. The process involves identifying, evaluating, protecting, and managing these resources in compliance with legal mandates and ethical considerations. For example, before undertaking a construction project, this practice may require a survey to determine if culturally significant artifacts or sites exist within the project’s footprint.
This endeavor is crucial for maintaining a connection with past societies, understanding human history, and promoting cultural identity. Its benefits extend to informing contemporary land-use planning, generating tourism revenue, and providing educational opportunities. Historically, its formalization arose from increasing awareness of the destructive impacts of development and a growing commitment to preserving humanity’s shared heritage for future generations.
