The destruction of Notre Dame cathedral is lamentable. A wonderful icon has been largely destroyed by fire. However, we should not despair, writes Claire Smith, Professor of Archaeology at Flinders University, and Archaeology PhD Candidate Jordan Ralph.
"Part of the reason this loss is so upsetting is because we are immersed in a Western way of thinking that equates authenticity with preserving the original materials used to create an object or building.
"But not all societies think like this. Some have quite different notions of what is authentic. Iconic buildings such as the Catherine Palace in Russia and Japan's historic monuments of Ancient Nara have been successfully restored, sometimes after great damage, and are today appreciated by millions of people.
"The preamble to the International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites, (the Venice Charter 1964), states that, "Imbued with a message from the past, the historic monuments of generations of people remain to the present day as living witnesses of their age-old traditions … It is our duty to hand them on in the full richness of their authenticity".
"But in our diverse world, the definition and assessment of authenticity is a complex matter. The World Heritage Convention guidelines state that properties may be understood to meet the conditions of authenticity if their cultural values "are truthfully and credibly expressed".
"Accordingly, a building's authenticity is determined in relation to its location and setting, use and function, spirit and feeling, and well as form and materials."
- The full article by Professor Smith and Jordan Ralph can be read on The Conversation website.
