Off the Altar

This chapter examines the relationship between digital technology and cultural heritage management at the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, China. Utilising a methodology that includes field observations and in-depth interviews with 30 visitors, the research illuminates a significant shift in the discourse on authenticity, a transformation facilitated by digital interventions. The findings highlight how digital platforms democratise this discourse by engaging a wider audience, challenging traditional views on authenticity, and encouraging public participation in the interpretation of heritage as an ethical outcome of sustainable heritage management. This participatory model fosters a wider discussion about authenticity, as visitors contribute a variety of perspectives that both support and question expert opinions. The chapter emphasises the ethical issues arising from the need for a pluralistic understanding of authenticity in cultural heritage, advocating for a sustainable management model that uses digital technology to meet visitor expectations and to cultivate a more inclusive heritage experience.