Digital Horizons in Heritage Museums: A Comparative Analysis of Display Evolution and Research Trends

The construction and development of museums have gained increasing attention as a prominent research topic in recent years. Digital technology has enhanced the presentation of artefacts across various museums. However, adequate visualisation software for analysis in heritage museum research remains lacking in China or even around the world. Consequently, this study conducts a statistical analysis of literature on heritage museum displays that was sourced from Web of Science and CNKI (China's National Knowledge Infrastructure) for 2002–2023, examining publication frequency, principal authors, research institutions, and keywords to identify research hotspots and trends. The results show that although there is a lack of study on historical museum exhibits both in China and abroad, the amount of research is trending significantly. Strengthening collaboration between core authors and institutions is necessary as it's currently limited. Internationally, AI research commenced earlier, with a focus on integrating augmented and virtual reality, among others. In China, the emphasis is on heritage museum conservation and architectural space research. Research trends indicate a deeper integration of heritage museums and AI technology, with its application on tangible and intangible cultural heritage proving significant for improved display, conservation, and legacy. This research provides insights for expanding heritage museum research in the areas of technological innovation and cultural heritage protection. It also outlines the current condition of heritage museum research and lays out fresh pathways for its future growth.