Cultural Heritage

The term ‘cultural heritage’ has not always meant the same thing. Recent decades have seen the concept of heritage—much like that of culture— undergoing a profound change.

Having at one time referred exclusively to the monumental remains of cultures, heritage as a concept has gradually come to include new categories such as the intangible, ethnographic or industrial heritage. A noteworthy effort was subsequently made to extend the conceptualisation and description of the intangible heritage. This is due to the fact that closer attention is now being paid to humankind, the dramatic arts, languages and traditional music, as well as to the informational, spiritual and philosophical systems upon which creations are based.

The concept of heritage in our time accordingly is an open one, reflecting living culture every bit as much as that of the past.”

© UNESCO www.unesco.org

Graveyards and Burial Grounds

Graveyards are an important feature of the historic landscape and frequently provide clues to understanding our past. Our graveyards contain the remains of our ancestors but they also contain many significant structures, historical and archaeological. Because of the undisturbed nature of these sites, graveyards can also be an oasis for a rich variety of plants and animals.

Burial grounds and graveyards, which are included in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP), are afforded protection under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994.

All work in graveyards must be carefully planned. The Heritage Officer is available to discuss any works planned for caring for your graveyard and to outline the help that may be available.

A checklist of good practice for groups planning to undertake any work in a graveyard is available to download.