Cultural Heritage (Patrimony): An Introduction.

Cultural heritage is important because it strongly influences our sense of identity, our loyalties, and our behavior. Memory institutions (archives, libraries, museums, schools, and historic sites) have a responsibility for preserving and interpreting the cultural record, so there are practical reasons to study cultural heritage. Attention to cultural heritage leads to wider awareness of the complexity and cultural bases of archives, libraries, and museums. Specialized terms are explained. The role of time is discussed and the past, history, and heritage are distinguished. Cultural heritage has some specialized legal and economic consequences and is deeply associated with much of the conflict and destruction in the world