The Evolution of Digital Cultural Heritage Research: Identifying Key Trends, Hotspots, and Challenges through Bibliometric Analysis

Heritage preservation fundamentally represents an act of communication, with digitization and virtual access driving cultural heritage research development and dissemination. These tools stimulate the creation of cultural heritage content and inspire public engagement in learning about and preserving heritage. Despite substantial academic focus on digital cultural heritage (DCH) research, systematic assessment methods remain lacking. This paper researches the application of digital technologies in cultural heritage studies using CiteSpace 6.2 R4 to analyze the evolution of DCH, identifying research hotspots and predicting future trends. The key findings include the following: (1) Current DCH research focuses on countries with significant national power, but future studies should emphasize regions rich in cultural heritage and promote transnational and interdisciplinary research. (2) DCH research concentrates on three areas: the use of VR, AR, and other interactive digital technologies to enhance cultural heritage experiences; the development of cultural relic databases and digital archives; and the implementation of interactive exhibitions and multimedia guides. (3) Identified research hotspots include user immersion experiences, language and identity, and virtual reality technologies. Digital technologies enhance cultural heritage communication by driving innovations in preservation, information management, and digitization. (4) Future research should focus on practical DCH development, emphasizing innovative virtual technologies, database integration, and standardized assessment methods. These efforts aim to provide valuable insights for the sustainable global preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. The use of digital technologies in cultural heritage is becoming increasingly important, but there is still a need to strike a balance between technological development and heritage preservation to ensure the sustainability of cultural heritage.