What legal protections exist to safeguard cultural heritage in the United States and internationally?
In the United States, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 provides legal protection for cultural heritage sites, including archaeological sites, historic buildings, and other cultural resources. The act requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their actions on historic properties and to take steps to protect them.
Internationally, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has adopted several conventions to protect cultural heritage. The most important of these is the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted in 1972. This convention requires signatory countries to identify and protect cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value. It also requires countries to take steps to protect and preserve these sites.