ABSTRACT
Protection of historic buildings received influence especially from German and Austrian conservation theories. In China, the ideas were particularly introduced in the field of archaeology and the protection of excavated sites. The impact of the European conservation ideas was felt particularly from the nineteenth century. The policies that were initially developed in the European context have been tested in an increasing number of different social-cultural contexts and physical realities. After the Second World War, the European region has been distinguished by the large number of organisations and associations that deal with issues related to cultural and natural heritage, and its management and safeguarding. Sub-Saharan Africa, starting from the coastal regions, was subject to explorations and gradual colonisation by the European countries. In the Middle East and the Asian countries, there were already ancient cultures that continued to remain present as part of modern developments.
