Abstract:
On-site heritage interpretation plays a vital role in cultural
heritage sites in conveying the significance and multiple heritage
values to the visitors. In an era where the world is transforming
with innovative digital applications, the heritage sites are also
being integrated with digital interpretation techniques to deliver
a better interpretation and new dimensional experience to the
visitors. Though multiple digital solutions are available, not all the
techniques are appropriate, applicable and feasible to every site.
Besides, neither proper worldwide principles nor framework has
been exerted for these digital heritage interpretation
developments. Therefore, this study is focused on building a
generic conceptual framework to select the most appropriate
digital interpretation technique(s) that fit the context of the
heritage site, giving special reference to the six Cultural World
Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. The relevant qualitative and
quantitative data were gathered via in-depth interviews, field
observation, literature survey and a visitor survey questionnaire.
The main themes and sub-themes derived through the thematic
analysis were adopted as the theoretical framework for the
research to analyze the collected data of the six Cultural World
Heritage Sites and the selected digital techniques. Based on the
results, the study recommends appropriate digital techniques for
each Cultural World Heritage Sites of the country. Further as
aimed, the study presents a conceptual framework for on-site
digital interpretation developments for cultural heritage sites by
categorizing the 24 criteria derived for data analysis under five
phases namely ‘Prepare’, ‘Assess’, ‘Design’, ‘Implement’ and
‘Sustain’.
