Abstract
Conservators, museologists, and architects make extremely complex decisions capable of affecting the way people perceive monuments. One might give this idea deeper consideration while pondering anastylosis. One of the things a designer should do when selecting a method of merging together parts of a damaged monument is answer the question whether the chosen method will facilitate the interest of onlookers in the presented object. In which case will the observers spend most of their time looking at the authentic relic fragments and distinguishing between the old and the new parts? The definitions in force do not explain how to approach this topic. By using eye-tracking research, we can learn how observers look at historical objects that have been reassembled again. By combining the observation of visual behaviours with a survey of people looking at such objects, it is possible to see how the process of classifying what is new and old actually works. This knowledge allows for more conscious approach to heritage management processes. In future, results of eye-tracking experiments should help experts plan sustainable conservation projects. Thanks to knowing the reactions of regular people, one will be able to establish conservation programmes in which the material preservation of a monument will reflect the way in which this object affects contemporary onlookers. Such an approach ought to result in real social and economic benefits.
Highlights
Conservators, museologists, and architects make extremely complex decisions capable of affecting the way people perceive monuments
Conservators and museologists are more than restorers of historical forms–at times, for example when reconstructing historical objects, they decide on the nature and scope of contemporary measures that are necessary to make it possible for such a historical object to endure and offer insight into the past
The other issue is the development of ‘technical and professional standards for heritage interpretation, including technologies, research, and training’ [9]. These quotes from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) charter are important because the specialists who were responsible for writing the charter apparently felt that it is necessary to invent modern, sustainable and long-term strategies that are adequate to social contexts
Summary
Conservators, museologists, and architects make extremely complex decisions capable of affecting the way people perceive monuments. By combining the observation of visual behaviours with a survey of people looking at such objects, it is possible to see how the process of classifying what is new and old works This knowledge allows for more conscious approach to heritage management processes. Thanks to knowing the reactions of regular people, one will be able to establish conservation programmes in which the material preservation of a monument will reflect the way in which this object affects contemporary onlookers Such an approach ought to result in real social and economic benefits. The other issue is the development of ‘technical and professional standards for heritage interpretation, including technologies, research, and training’ [9] These quotes from the ICOMOS charter are important because the specialists who were responsible for writing the charter apparently felt that it is necessary to invent modern, sustainable and long-term strategies that are adequate to social contexts. Such considerations are in line with the motivation that resulted in conducting the research presented in this paper
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