ABSTRACT
The essential proposition in this chapter is that the current theories and representative wealth of charters and guidelines which govern the contemporary conservation practice are the ‘tip of the iceberg’. Beneath lies an immense body of cultural, philosophical, and religious thought and traditions that underpin the entire sphere of Western approaches to conservation. This chapter poses a fundamental question: How would the rich and unique cultural heritage of Asia be interpreted and conserved if the theories and guidelines that were to underpin it were based on the cultural and philosophical traditions of the region?
