Movable Heritage & Museums
Movable cultural heritage constitutes one of the basic elements of civilization and national culture, and that its true value can be appreciated only in relation to the fullest possible information regarding its origin, history and traditional setting. Rare collections and specimens of fauna, flora, minerals and anatomy, objects found in archaeological excavations or of archaeological discoveries, elements of artistic or historical monuments, antiquities more than one hundred years old, such as inscriptions, coins and engraved seals, rare manuscripts, and old musical instruments. This entire heritage – which is sometimes exhibited in museums – deserves our attention because it is an integral part of the cultural heritage of humanity and a particularly important element in the history of peoples, nations, and their relations with each other concerning their common heritage Special efforts must be made to preserve movable heritage, including underwater heritage which means all traces of human existence having a cultural, historical or archaeological character which have been partially or totally under water, periodically or continuously, for at least 100 years.
Relevant UNESCO normative instruments regarding movable heritage and museum:
- Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970) in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Chinese
- Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954)
- Recommendation on the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections
See also: