The paper analyzes scientific publications and discourses devoted to topical problems of historical and cultural heritage and the formation of new areas of its research. The focus was on rethinking the phenomenon of cultural heritage and the methodology for its study, modeling the theory of "social dimension of heritage," the practice of its preservation and "international regimes" of use, expanding the typology of heritage, revising its terminological apparatus and tools, the system of views and ideas about material and intangible values ​ ​ of the past, historical and cultural monuments, as well as social memory underlying history, culture and heritage.