ABSTRACT
This chapter explores that international voices calling for the protection of the world's cultural heritage are growing stronger and louder. Moreover, there is some sentiment that archaeological and historical remains belong to humankind in general and should not be seen simply as national or group patrimony. Organizations like the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), founded in 1965, are hard at work on protection issues. According to its Web site, ICOMOS is an international, nongovernmental organization dedicated to the conservation of the world's historic monuments and sites. In addition, ICOMOS is UNESCO's principal advisor in these matters and has an international role under the World Heritage Convention to advise the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO on the nomination of new sites to the World Heritage List, maintained by UNESCO. UNESCO also formulated the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
