Searching for the Concept of Authenticity: Implementation Guidelines

AbstractThis paper explores the notion of authenticity, defined as respect for the importance of any legacy from the past. A brief summary is provided of the earlier concept of authenticity and how it has been related to practical issues of conserving works of art. The current concept of authenticity as a tool for conserving cultural heritage is discussed and, through evaluating the processes involved in testing authenticity, the author calls for a broader interpretation and a dynamic approach to its application. Additional informationNotes on contributorsEman AssiBiographyEman Assi BA, MSc, PhDEman Assi is an assistant professor within the Department of Architecture at An-najah National University, West Bank. She received a BA in architecture from Jordan University in 1982, an MSc in urban design from Pratt Institute, New York in 1990, and a PhD in cultural development from Edinburgh College of Art in 1998. Dr Assi is currently working as a consultant on two projects concerned with cultural heritage in Palestine: the rehabilitation of the old city of Jerusalem, and the 'Cultural Resources Management Project', which involves the preparation of an inventory and development of a geographic database to enable the integration of cultural resource information into planning activities.