Sensory perception in cultural studies: A review of sensorial and multisensorial heritage

Following the “authorized heritage discourse” in heritage management, visual components have traditionally formed the basis of aesthetic value assessment of heritage assets. Despite being considered important by national legislation and international conventions, other sensory components have been comparatively under-researched and are generally ignored. No research to date has investigated the breadth and depth of these sensory components either individually nor in combination, and a synthesis of the extent and complexity of this intangible heritage is currently lacking. This literature review aims to examine these sensory heritage components in the human environment setting over the last 10 years. Of the 122 articles included in this literature review, the majority of research focused on only one individual sensory heritage component, generally the sense of sight or sound. For research investigating more than one sensory component, visual and aural components were again highly represented. Smell and touch components were comparatively under-researched, and there was a general paucity of multisensory heritage research and investigation of perceived heritage values. This review shows there is vast potential to push past the authorized heritage discourse, to revisit the current processes of heritage assessment and to rethink the constraints of visually centered heritage documentation and management.