Archaeology and Heritage Legislation: A Comparative Study

Abstract

One of the most important and pressing issues in Heritage Management in the World has been the effective protection and preservation of the Archaeological Heritage by the use of Heritage legislation. Over many years, copious legislations have been promulgated for the protection of cultural properties but these are not effective for protecting antiquity. In some countries thefts and illegal exportation of antiquities have been a reoccurring problem. What is the cause of this futility in heritage management? Is it a matter of the types of legislation promulgated from country to country? Why do some countries succeed in protecting their heritage while others seem to fail? This study will examine some aspects of the various laws and legislation, especially the very early ones that were enacted in seven countries namely Australia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland and Sweden. The essay will also focused on various ways in which Archaeology has been made popular through public education, as well as funding of archaeological projects in the seven countries mentioned above.

Keywords: Heritage Legislation, Cultural property, Illegal exportation, Education