Learn & Discover

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Participatory Mapping describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Partnership Agreement describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A formal arrangement between two or more parties outlining how they will work together on a heritage initiative. For example, a community group and a national museum might sign a partnership agreement to co-curate an exhibit or to share management of a cultural site. The agreement typically defines roles, responsibilities, resource sharing, and decision-making processes, helping to ensure clarity and mutual respect in the collaboration.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The thin layer or film that forms on the surface of an object over time due to age or chemical reactions. Patina can appear as a greenish layer on bronze statues, a mellow sheen on old wood, or the weathered texture on antique furniture. In conservation, patina is often valued as part of an object’s history – conservators aim to preserve it when possible, as it can indicate authenticity and age, whereas removing it might diminish the item’s historical character.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The legacy of traditional music, dance, theater, and other performance-based arts transmitted through generations. It encompasses the skills, creative expressions, and cultural meanings associated with performances in a community.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Periodic Reporting relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A regular process under UNESCO conventions where States Parties report on the status and conservation of the sites or elements inscribed under those conventions. For World Heritage Sites, for example, countries must submit periodic reports outlining the condition of the sites, any threats faced, and actions taken. This mechanism helps the international community monitor the preservation of heritage and identify needs for support or corrective measures.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A technique that uses photographs to measure and create accurate 2D or 3D representations of objects and sites. In heritage conservation, photogrammetry is used to document artifacts or architecture in detail by taking overlapping images and processing them with software to generate scaled models or maps. It’s a valuable tool for recording the condition of a site, monitoring changes, or assisting in virtual reconstruction.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Photography Consent describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Pigment Identification is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

A journey undertaken for spiritual or cultural reasons to a site of special significance. Pilgrimages are traditional in many religions and cultures – travelers (pilgrims) often follow ancestral routes to sacred shrines or holy places, seeking personal meaning, healing, or fulfillment as part of their heritage practice.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

A detailed evaluation conducted after a disaster to determine the extent of damage and the needs for recovery and reconstruction, including in the culture sector. In heritage protection, a PDNA examines impacts on cultural sites, institutions, and practices, and helps plan the resources and actions required to restore and safeguard them.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Post-Disaster Response involves coordinated actions taken immediately after a disaster to ensure human safety, stabilize damaged heritage sites, prevent further loss, and document impacts. These actions form the foundation for recovery and long-term conservation planning.

Source: UNDRR, ICCROM

Preservation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Preventive Conservation focuses on proactive measures taken to minimize future deterioration or damage to cultural heritage by controlling environmental conditions, managing risks, and applying protective strategies before disasters occur.

Source: ICOM-CC

Preventive Conservation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Regular, planned maintenance activities aimed at keeping heritage buildings and objects in good condition and preventing small issues from becoming major problems. This can include cleaning gutters on historic roofs to avoid water damage, periodically inspecting and treating wooden beams for pests, or tuning climate control systems in archives. Preventive maintenance is cost-effective and extends the life of heritage assets by addressing wear and tear early.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Privacy in Documentation describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Private Property Permission relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Protected Area Regulation relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Provenance refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Provenance Due Diligence relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM