Los mecanismos de protección del patrimonio arqueológico

Abstract

This article briefly discusses three different sections which are worth emphasizing for their role in the general protection of our Historical Heritage and, more specifically, of our Archaeological Heritage. 1º Legal Protection. In this section, the actual definition of Archaeological Heritage is discussed under the terms of the 16/85 Act, as well as the Regulations regarding the Evaluation of the Environmental Impact on public Works, as published in 1988 by MOPU (Ministry of Works and Urban Development). Naturally, recent legislation concerning our Heritage and published by certain Autonomous Regions is also mentioned. Special reference is made to Article XIII of the Penal Code. 2º Preventive-Conservative Protection. In close relation to the polices of Autonomous Regions, emphasis is placed here on how the importance, as well as the incidence of this subject, have grown dramatically in recent years. Of all the composing factors, stress is placed on those which relate specifically to our Archaeological Heritage by means of the preparation of relevant inventories. 3º Educational Protection. This is emphasized as the most important of the three sections. Proposals are made for a series of measures to follow, and a course of action to take, in order to prevent inmediate failure, since the necessity for long term investment could act as a deterrent.