Cultural heritage

From buildings to traces in the soil

Cultural heritage often involves visible things, such as a national monument, old tree, artwork or historic garden. There are also invisible things that make up our cultural heritage. Think of archaeology. Several generations have left traces in the soil. Examples of traces in the soil are a worked flint, or, for example, remains of an iron smelter. 

Archaeology is strongly connected to the cultural landscape. Cultural-historical landscape elements include old dikes, pingoes, medieval church and footpaths or, for example, allotment structures. 

Folk tales, language and rituals

There are also less tangible forms of cultural heritage. These include folk tales, the language, songs, rituals and customs. This "intangible heritage" is passed down from generation to generation. It changes slowly and gives society a sense of identity.