Archaeology, Cultural Heritage Protection and Community Engagement in South Asia

Robin Coningham holds UNESCO’s Chair in Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage at Durham University, UK and has extensive experience of archaeology and post-disaster heritage interventions across South Asia. He is interested in sustainable community engagement with archaeological excavations and site preservation, and the balance between heritage protection, pilgrimage and development. Nick Lewer is now Director of Coral Associates Ltd. He was formerly Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the School of Government and International Affairs, Durham University. He has worked widely in South Asia focusing on community engagement, dialogue processes, education, and project monitoring and evaluation.

Introduction.- Communities and Micro-Heritage in Bhitargarh, Bangladesh: a Case-Study.- Awakening Myths, Legends and Heritage.- Kuragala: Religious and Ethnic Communities in a Contested Sacred Heritage Site in Sri Lanka.- Community Engagement in the Greater Lumbini Area of Nepal: the Micro-Heritage Case-Study of Dohani.- Protecting Heritage and Strengthening Community Engagement in Nepal.- Tourism and Community Engagement in World Heritage Sites, Nepal.- Mapping the intangible: ‘At Risk’ Heritage Landscapes in Northern Pakistan.- Community Engagement in Natural Heritage Conservation Stewardship, Nepal.- Reclaiming the Heritage of Bagan: Communities in Myanmar Learn to Raise their Voice.- Communities, Identities, Conflict and Appropriation in South Asia.- Conclusion.