VIRTUAL: Prague Heritages

Abstract

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Many researchers have examined the experiences that occur when visiting contemporary museums, how these affect the confirmation of national identity and how they conserve cultural heritage. However, relatively few researchers have investigated how digital technology— which is rapidly gaining traction—is affecting the conservation of cultural heritage or its effect on confirming national identity in the Saudi Arabian context. Notably, the proposed study aims to bridge this knowledge gap. To achieve this, it will evaluate the experiences of digitalisation and virtuality to explain whether and how digital technology impacts the authenticity of objects in museums and heritage organisations while also assessing their impact on the national identity of Saudi Arabians in the conservation of their cultural heritage. Notably, Ithra museum is one of these museums.
The literature review provides an overview of the aims of this research project through an analysis of current scholarship in the field’s museum studies, heritage studies, digital humanities and Islamic study and is structured as follows; preservation of cultural heritage through museums and digitalisation, exploring the national identity in Ithra museum, Application of digitalisation in museums, Application of virtual tours in museums and Authenticity in museums. Some approaches have been used to collect, analyse data and present accurate information that explains how the experience of digitalisation and virtuality in a contemporary Saudi museum (Ithra) by collecting first-hand information about digitalisation and virtuality in Ithra museum from Saudi Arabians who visit Ithra physically or virtually. Moreover, assessing its role in asserting the national identity of Saudi Arabia through cultural heritage preservation.