The Functions of Heritage Museums and Their Role in Supporting Cultural Heritage An Anthropological Study of Some Museums in Cairo

Document Type : Academic research papers

Authors

Department of Sociology, faculty of women for arts, science and education, Ain Shams university

Abstract

The functions of museums as a whole represent the value of the cultural and civilizational heritage of both tangible and intangible as the nation's memory, which highlights the greatest achievements of civilization in all aspects of life. This research aims to detect the functions of museums and their role in supporting and developing the national sense of value of the cultural heritage. This is achieved through the application to three of the main Egyptian museums in Cairo, according to their establishment history: the Egyptian Museum of Tahrir Square, the Museum of Islamic Art in Bab El-Khalk, and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Al-Fustat (NMEC). The research relies on the anthropological method, using participant observation and interview of its kinds, where interviews were conducted with a sample of visitors, participants in museum activities and events, as well as some officials and staff members of the three museums, and the researcher used the Field Work guide as a tool for collecting field data. The theoretical framework for research relies on issues of functional theory to highlight the functional role of museums as an educational and cultural institution in the structure and formation of the culture of society and the satisfaction of the visitor's secondary needs. Additionally, Cultural Capital Theory to understand the role of research museums in supporting the Egyptian visitor's sense of belonging, it becomes a cultural capital that enshrines the visitor's sense of pride and pride and contributes to the preservation and transmission of heritage for future generations.

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