From Archaeology to Heritage Management: A Study of the Early Mediaeval Temple of Bhima Devi

Archaeology and Heritage Management are often understood to be related but distinct disciplines, however, in recent years, the conservation, management and preservation of archaeological sites and objects have also between practical archaeology—which remains limited to excavation and exploration in several countries, and heritage management—which is still understood to be a bureaucratic activity, sometimes undertaken by private stakeholders. This is particularly true for countries like India, where, as a consequence of this divide, archaeological activity and heritage management take place without consideration for each other and a large number of excavations are carried out without proper post-excavation management plans on the one hand, and conservation and management plan for sites created without consulting archaeologists, on the other. This paper examines how a comprehensive plan can be developed when Heritage Management and Archaeology are brought together using the case study of Bhima Devi Temple in North Haryana, India.