ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at how perceptions of these concepts can differ not only between countries but also between museums and communities, and individuals. Notions of significance and cultural significance may be very meaningful for one person or community and meaningless for another. The notion of authenticity is extremely important in Western culture and conservation. Just as there is official and unofficial heritage, so there are accepted notions of what constitutes authenticity, but this changes over time to reflect the current socio-cultural values of a community or nation. Closely linked to authenticity, and the notion of official and unofficial heritage, is the concept of significance. Some museum professionals suggest that there is no difference between significance and cultural significance when considering heritage. Cultures are made up of individuals and cultural significance suggests a more personal relationship with an object.
