Introduction - Heritage: diversification and globalisation

The concept of heritage traces back to Ancient Times, denoting the inheritance passed down from ancestors to descendants, constituting private heritage, a legal notion still relevant today.

Since the 1970s, this concept has broadened to encompass a range of material assets, such as monuments and objects, as well as intangible elements like craftsmanship, cuisine, and music. These assets are considered part of heritage because they have been preserved by society and are intended for transmission to future generations due to their value.

The notion of heritage has evolved from a simple concept of private inheritance to a broader idea of common goods to be preserved. Selected based on their significance at a given time by a generation, those common goods make heritage an anthropological construction linked to cultural identity.

#1. Heritage: construction through History

#A. From the humanists to the first museums: tangible heritage

During the Renaissance (15th-16th centuries), the rediscovery of Antiquity by Humanists prompted a desire to preserve these remnants for future generations. At this time, heritage was primarily associated with the great monuments of illustrious civilixations. For instance, the Roman sculpture of the Farnese Bull, rediscovered in the 16th century, exemplified this focus.

By the late 18th century, the concept of heritage, previously confined to these great monuments, expanded further with the advent of modern archaeology and the rediscovery of ancient Greek landmarks. Through travels, explorations, and publications, knowledge of Antiquity reached a broader audience.

Concurrently, the establishment of major public museums, such as the British Museum in 1759, showcased prestigious works, sparking rivalries among powers to acquire them.

#B. 19th century: the establishment of a State and national heritage, extending natural heritage

The proliferation of archaeological excavations sparked public enthusiasm. For instance, the adventures of the German archaeologist Schliemann were avidly followed in the press throughout Europe. Armed with Homer's Iliad, he discovered the ruins of the ancient city of Troy and the “golden mask of Agamemnon,” starting in 1875.

The concept of heritage served the nationalism of States. By the end of the 19th century, both Napoleon III and the French Third Republic created a “national narrative”: archaeological excavations aimed to locate the site of the Battle of Alesia, where, Vercingetorix, considered as the “ancestor of the French,” and Julius Caesar fought.

The notion of heritage expanded from cultural to natural. For example, Yellowstone National Park in the USA was established in 1872.

#2. Increasingly diverse and globalised heritage

#A. Diversification during the second half of the 20th century

Starting from the 1980s, the notion of heritage expands, leading to what Pierre Nora termed as “heritage inflation” (Les lieux de mémoires, 1986). In addition to historical monuments, this includes urban heritage (theatres, restaurants, cafés, shops), industrial and technical heritage (factories, mines, train stations), vernacular architecture (mills, washhouses, dovecotes), natural heritage (landscapes), and intangible heritage (gastronomy, music).

This process, known as patrimonialisation, extends beyond the preservation of cultural or natural landscapes to encompass industrial, rural, and intangible heritage.

#B. Heritage globalisation since 1945

The devastation caused by World War II and the aspiration for enduring peace prompted the establishment of the United Nations and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), headquartered in Paris. The recognition of a shared heritage aimed to foster global peace. In 1972, the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted. Furthermore, in 2003, the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was introduced, covering a wide range of cultural elements beyond physical monuments, including oral traditions, games, dances, crafts, and gastronomy. The inclusion of the Mauritian Sega exemplifies this broader perspective. This underscores a process of globalised heritage preservation.

#3. UNESCO "World Heritage" designation, in 1972

The concept created by UNESCO in 1972 led to a global concern, exemplified by the rescue of the temples of Nubia in Egypt during the construction of the Aswan Dam, which became a global preoccupation. It encompasses sites and assets—whether natural, cultural, or mixed—deemed as the common heritage of humanity, deserving protection due to their invaluable significance for current and future generations on a global scale. These sites are classified through a rigorous procedure conducted by a State seeking the UNESCO label, which enhances their attractiveness and leads to increased tourism.

Currently, there are 1,154 natural or cultural sites across 167 states, reflecting significant diversity but primarily concentrated in globalisation hubs such as Italy, China, Spain, Germany, or France, which account for over 20% of the total sites.

#4. Heritage as a political and geopolitical issue

Heritage can serve as a tool for States to pursue a specific policy, as we saw for the restoration of Notre-Dame in Paris, or a power agenda, and soft power initiatives.

Additionally, heritage can also become a source of tensions and conflicts, as seen in disputes such as the one between Greece and the UK regarding the Elgin Marbles.