Heritage conservation refers to actions or processes aimed at preserving the distinguishing characteristics of a cultural resource in order to preserve its heritage value and extend its physical life. Heritage conservation does not imply freezing a building in time, establishing a museum, or preventing property owners from doing anything with their properties. Instead, it seeks to preserve and thus increase the value of buildings by preserving their original built form and architectural elements, preferring restoration over replacement or demolition, and respectfully recreating scale, period, and character where the restoration is impossible.
Heritage is divided into two sectors- Tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Tangible Cultural Heritage refers to physical artifacts created, maintained, and passed down through generations.
The practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills that communities, groups, and sometimes individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage are referred to as intangible cultural heritage.
The conservation and preservation of heritage refer to the protection and upkeep of artifacts and historical sites that are considered to be of importance to a culture or society. This can include everything from ancient ruins to more recent buildings and monuments. The goal is to keep these heritage sites from being lost or destroyed and to ensure that future generations can enjoy them. The value of the tangible cultural heritage to the city’s heritage inventory would be significant. The cultural heritage would provide an important record of the city’s history and would be a valuable resource for future generations.
Tangible cultural heritage is cultural heritage that can be physically touched or experienced. This includes buildings, monuments, artifacts, and works of art. It can also include things like traditions and customs that are passed down from generation to generation. Tangible aspects can easily be conserved and preserved compared to intangible ones, as they are physically present in our environment. In contrast, intangible heritage can vary from oral traditions to folklore to craft products.
Why preserving and conversing is important for tangible cultural heritage?
In the late 18th century, legal aspects of the heritage protection movement first appeared in Europe. Until World War II, this movement spread to every corner of the globe. A few months after WW2, Athen Charter, the first international heritage charter, was established as a landmark of international collaboration in protecting and preserving heritage. The conservation movement has spread to almost every region of the world since World War II.
There are many reasons why it is important to preserve and conserve tangible cultural heritage. For one, tangible cultural heritage is a key part of our shared human history and identity. It can tell us about the past and help us to understand the present. Additionally, tangible cultural heritage is often irreplaceable and unique, making its loss a loss for all of humanity. Finally, preserving and conserving tangible cultural heritage can help ensure that future generations can enjoy and learn from it.
Cultural heritage shapes our society. The human race has always relied on its past to build its present and future. Generations before us have lived and shaped the world we live in. It is critical to preserve our heritage because it adds character and distinctiveness to a location, region, or community and thus provides a sense of identity. Preservation, conservation, and protection is highly valuable because:
- The historic environment has been shown to benefit local economies, especially through tourism.
- An appealing heritage benefits both external investment and the retention of existing businesses, not just tourism.
- The adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is an important component in the development of sustainable communities.
- Heritage preservation can lead to increased social inclusion.
- Heritage sites provide excellent educational opportunities for people of all ages.
- World Heritage sites also provide opportunities for society to mitigate and adapt to climate change by providing ecosystem benefits such as water and climate regulation and carbon storage in world forest sites.
- For a variety of reasons, an artifact may require conservation. Aged objects can become brittle and easily break or crack, poor storage can cause deterioration or mold growth, and time can cause grime and dirt to accumulate. An examination is performed to determine the object’s condition and the materials used to create it.
- Culturally appropriate and historically accurate materials may need to be specially ordered depending on the needs of the artifact to complete the treatment properly. Conservators can then take the necessary steps to clean, repair, and prepare an object for future care.
Case study on tangible heritage
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Conservation Of Vishrambaug Wada
The Vishrambagwada Fort was built in the 17th century and is one of the most well-preserved forts in India. The fort was the Peshwa rulers’ seat and has witnessed many important events in Maratha history. The fort is now in a state of ruin but still has many original features, including the main entrance, the fort walls, the temples, and the palaces. The Archaeological Survey of India is currently conserving the fort. Vishrambaug Wada, located in the heart of the Old City of Pune, is one of the most iconic examples of this traditional architectural style. The wada was built by Shivaji’s grandson, Nanasaheb Peshwa, between 1746 and 1750. The wada is built in the traditional Maratha architectural style, with a central courtyard and an ornate exterior. The wada has been declared a heritage site by the Indian government and is currently undergoing restoration.
Throughout history, the wada has been used for a variety of purposes. It was used as a school to teach Sanskrit and, later, other subjects such as agriculture and engineering. The government set aside Rs 20,000 from the Dakshina Fund, an initiative started by a Maratha Sardar, Khanderao Dabhade (1665-1729), for the institute under the Commissioner of the Deccan William Chaplin. Hindoo College, the first British-sponsored educational institute, was established in the wada in 1821. In 1851, it was renamed Poona College, and it is now known as Deccan College, which has been located in Yerawada since the 1960s. The wada was even used as a jail during British rule in India. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) purchased the wada from British authorities for Rs 1,000,000 in 1930 and used it as their office until 1958. The PMC has designated the wada as a Grade I heritage site. Today, a portion of the wada is open to the public, while the remainder houses government offices such as the PMC’s Birth and Death Registration Office.
Since 2001, the wada has housed a permanent exhibition hall called ‘Punawadi te Punyanagari,’ curated by historian Babasaheb Purandare. It is dedicated to Maratha Empire artifacts and depicts the city’s history. The exhibition hall is reached via a wooden and stone staircase. The wada is in poor condition, with broken tiles and rods littering the grounds.
Under the Heritage Corridor Plan, the PMC has restored Vishrambaag Wada. The restoration will take place in three stages, beginning with the double-story mansion where the Peshwa is said to have lived with a battery of 6,000 servants.
The original bricks wada are being specially recreated, according to PMC’s heritage cell chief Shyam Dhavale. Some of the windows, wooden pillars, and motifs are as well.
The red tiles on the sloping roof and the courtyard, which are typical of Maratha architecture, will be preserved. The restoration work had cost $2,500,000 (US$31,000) as of 2004.
Because the building is heavily used and maintenance was not prioritized prior to the heritage designation, some decay has occurred as a result of inefficient rain/stormwater drainage and neglect in some toilet-like areas.
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Portrait of Olivia Boteler Porter
The original artwork had suffered significant wear and tear over the centuries and was in such poor condition that it could not be identified. The main cause of this painting’s deterioration was a vanish that was added over the top after the painting was finished. It is unlikely that the artist would have requested such an addition, and the negative impact of the varnish was only recently reversed. Following a thorough restoration, experts were able to accurately place it among Anthony van Dyck’s oeuvre.
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Restoration of Luxor temple mural
The University of Tübingen, in collaboration with Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, led the major restoration effort. There are 46 depictions of the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet on the temple’s walls and ceilings, in addition to hieroglyphics and some Greek inscriptions.
The team used alcohol to remove layers of soot, dust, dirt, bird poop, and cobwebs from the 49-foot-tall vestibule, the temple’s only remaining structure. It was once used as a haven for early Christian Copts fleeing Roman persecution, about 30 miles south of Luxor.
So in the overall conservation and preservation of tangible cultural heritage, we need to look into the different aspects and degrees of involvement a given piece of history needs. Becoming a conservator, preservator or restorator takes years and years of practice, but more than that, it is about learning the overall value of the site/artifact.
CITATION:
- Vishrambaug Wada – Wikipedia. (2010, February 1). Vishrambaug Wada – Wikipedia. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishrambaug_Wada
- Restoration begins of more King Ramses II statues at Luxor Temple. (2019, September 16). Arab News PK. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.arabnews.pk/node/1554941/art-culture
- Portrait of Olivia Boteler Porter – Anthony Van Dyck – Google Arts & Culture. (n.d.). Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/portrait-of-olivia-boteler-porter-anthony-van-dyck/MwFsItAVxxd–w
- Incredible India | Vishrambaug Wada. (n.d.). Incredible India | Vishrambaug Wada. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.incredibleindia.org/content/incredibleindia/en/destinations/pune/vishrambaug-wada.html
- Smart, S. (2001, March 1). Conservation site management plan -vishrambaug vada, pune. Conservation Site Management Plan -vishrambaug Vada, Pune. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.slideshare.net/saumitrasmart/conservation-site-management-plan-vishrambaug-vada-pune
- Vishrambaug Wada. (n.d.). Vishrambaug Wada. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://map.sahapedia.org/article/Vishrambaug-Wada/3399
