Welcome to Archaeological Exploration and Excavation Department

Heritage Society (HS) set up the Archaeological Exploration and Excavation Department (AEED) in 2018 to carry out archaeological research, exploration and excavation works in the different parts of the country and also to execute problem-oriented survey including exploration and excavation of ancient sites and mounds. Archaeological explorations and excavations play a major role to reconstruct history of past. Scientific analysis and systematic interpretation of unearthed built heritage shed light on the activities of past societies to reconstruct the history of past societies. Archaeological objects are the credible source of history writing. The AEED has also prepares the reports based on the field work and interacts with various universities and research institutions.
To provide authentic heritage information in an interesting way to the future heritage custodians of the nation, the AEED and Bihar Heritage has launched “VIRASAT TALK” in 2020. Initially this talk was known as ‘Heritage Talk-show’. The “VIRASAT TALK” is being organised in the schools and colleges regularly.

UNESCO states that Intangible Cultural Heritage is manifested in the following domains:

  • Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of intangible cultural heritage;
  • Performing arts;
  • Social practices, rituals and festive events;
  • Knowledge and practices concerning nature, mutual relations between people, and the universe;
  • Traditional craftsmanship.

Elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage

  • Ancient Folktale and Folklore in a traditional dialects and languages
  • Rituals, Customs, Mythology and Worship
  • Local Health Practices and Medicine
  • Knowledge Holders and Wisdom Keepers
  • Human Treasures-Master Craftsmen
  • Ancient Educational Traditions
  • Relationship with Nature and Environment
  • Oral Traditions, Music and Dance
  • Musical Instruments
  • Paintings, Murals, Rock/Cave Art, Body Painting/Tattooing
  • House Decoration, Vernacular Architecture, Building Patterns
  • Folk/Tribal Art, Craft and Skills
  • Food and Drink
  • Hair Styles, Headgear Costumes, Jewellery
  • Pottery and Utensils
  • Traditional Forms of Greeting, Hospitality
  • Life Cycle Rituals of Birth, Marriage and Death
  • Traditional Games and Sports
  • Magic, Witch Craft, Occult Practices, Shamanism
  • Cosmology and Philosophy
The ICHD executes collection and documentation of intangible cultural heritage information by recording it in tangible forms, collecting documents that relate to it and researching its current state are various ways used by the department to create its intangible cultural heritage inventories and collections which are further disseminated to the government, academicians and the general public.

The collection and recording of these intangible cultural heritage elements are necessary to :UNESCO states that Intangible Cultural Heritage is manifested in the following domains:

  • Record our endangered living heritage
  • Maintain, celebrate, document our heritage and traditions
  • Sustain intangible cultural heritage traditions within communities, especially those connected to livelihoods

The department works towards the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in the following ways:

  • Through research and documentation of the intangible cultural heritage communities of India
  • By spreading awareness amongst the stakeholders about the various aspects of intangible cultural heritage
  • Through publications and reports based on the subject
  • By organizing workshops, lectures and other events on the subject