Қоғамдық мұра және ұлттық идентификация: Ежелгі ескерткіштер мен олардың маңызы

Prehistoric or early historical structure or site worthy of preservation

An ancient monument can refer to any early or historical manmade structure and/or architecture. Certain ancient monuments are of cultural importance for nations and become symbols of international recognition, including the ruins of Baalbek on Lebanese currency, the Angkor Wat on Cambodian currency and the Great Wall of China on the Chinese currency. There are some countries that display ancient buildings as symbols on their coats of arms as a way to affirm national identity. In this way, ancient monuments in the modern world are used as icons to represent a country. The importance of ancient monuments extends to cultural heritage and how the people of a nation or city identify themselves. In British law, an ancient monument is an early historical structure or monument (e. g. an archaeological site) worthy of preservation and study due to archaeological or heritage interest. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 classified ancient monuments as "scheduled monuments" or monuments that are considered by the Secretary of State of archaeological, historical or artistic importance.

Since the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the rise of nationalism, part of the nation building process was the construction of a national past. This past comprised a collection of legends, traditions and myths. In Europe's emerging nations, ruins and relics became the centre of attention for group consciousness and national aspirations, which became an important motivation for the emergence of a preservation movement. This was because many buildings, landscapes and monuments achieved a great level of significance as symbols and icons of a growing nation. As such, these buildings and landscapes became national monuments, which possessed new meanings given the emergence of nationhood. Light and Dumbraveanu Andone assert that the connection between heritage and national identity continues to be important. This is also evident in national identity related to an awareness of national heritage that is still visible around the world.|277x277px]]

The emergence of the discipline of archaeology was linked to the rise of nationalism. It was often emphasised to be used in service of the nation state to reinforce its historical and territorial legitimacy. Archaeology as a culture historical discipline is the study and preservation of remains from past societies and their environments. In this, the past is studied through preserving its sources including landscape (ancient monuments and/or heritage sites) and physical artefacts. The preservation and restoration are important for all heritage sites, particularly at locations of ancient monuments and archaeological areas that are in dangerous or delicate conditions.

Following the mass decolonisation period post World War II, identity through remains, the past and landscapes became more common and global tourism exponentially increased. With the rise of globalisation, tourism has grown to become a type of commodity during the twenty first century with new places and elements to discover. In addition to this, the exoticism and romanticism around experiencing other "more authentic" cultures have contributed to heritage and cultural tourism. As a result, ancient monuments are linked to heritage tourism because of the cultural and national aspect that the monuments embody. Heritage tours comprise a number of types including religious tourism and patriotic tourism. In the case of ancient monuments, both types of heritage tourism apply.

The concept of religious heritage tourism has been around for several centuries. According to Bond, Packer and Ballantyne, people have their own purpose and motives for visiting a religious heritage site or location. This included five key factors; to find spiritual and emotional connection, to discover new things, to engage mentally, to interact and/or belong as well as searching for peace to relax. the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Dome of the Rock in the Old City of Jerusalem. All these sites are considered to be ancient monuments as they are of historical and cultural importance.

Tourism that are attached to nationalistic or patriotic sentiments is another type of heritage tourism. In the modern context, post World War I and World War II, certain places and sites and being claimed as nationalistic sites that patriotic tourists visit for the purpose of reclaiming and reaffirming their heritage and national identity. Such sites include the forts and castles of Ghana, the ANZAC Cove and the Great Wall of China. These types of ancient monuments fall under the category of national and historical importance. They are associated with culturally driven tourism linking to the colonial and violent past of nations that have become symbols of cultural reaffirmation and awakening.

Megalithic monuments: Large and rough stones that are arranged in place and preserved for several centuries. Temple: There are many temples around the world that are classified as ancient monuments and world heritage sites. Somes examples include the Temple of Anahita, Kangavar in Iran, several Ancient Greek temples and Megalithic Temples of Malta. Mosque: Early Islamic architecture included elaborate patterns. Some notable examples include the Great Mosque of Damascus (Umayyad Mosque), Masjid Al Aqsa (Dome of the Rock) and the Tunisian Great Mosque of Kairouan. Tomb: Some examples include Mughal emperors tombs such as the tomb of Aurangzeb and Akbar's tomb as well as the Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb.