ABSTRACT
In many countries of the world responsible governments, conscious of the prime importance of their cultural heritage, have identified and designated archaeological sites, artefacts, material culture, material remains, art and architectural monuments as public property. These governments have created institutions such as English Heritage in Britain, the National Service of the US Department of the Interior and the Secretariat of Fine Arts in France, to manage their priceless treasures for humanity and preserve them for posterity. The need for preservation is so vital that UNESCO, one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations, has to advise governments on how to restore and preserve national monuments. It has actually moved fast to save certain archaeological treasures in some countries from destruction and has assisted in locating and declaring some national monuments as World Heritage Sites, thus helping reluctant governments not to destroy their national patrimony.
