Τhe Convention affirms that archaeological heritage is essential to the knowledge of the history of civilizations and provides guidelines for the excavation activity and dissemination of information. According to the Convention, the first step towards protecting the archaeological heritage should be to apply the strictest scientific methods to archaeological research or discoveries, in order to preserve their full historical significance and render impossible the irremediable loss of scientific information that may result from illegal excavation.
Each Contracting Party should take measures in order: (a) to delimit and protect sites and areas of archaeological interest and (b) to create reserve zones for the preservation of material evidence to be excavated by later generations of archaeologists, (c) prohibit and restrain illicit excavations; (d) take the necessary measures to ensure that excavations are, by special authorization, entrusted only to qualified persons; and (e) ensure the control and conservation of the results obtained.
Each Contracting Party should undertake the study and distribution of information on archaeological finds, through scientific publications on excavation and discoveries. Moreover, each Contracting Party should also consider ways and means to: establish a national inventory of archaeological objects and prepare a scientific catalogue of publicly-owned and, where possible, privately-owned archaeological objects.
Finally, each Contracting Party should: (a) facilitate the circulation of archaeological objects for scientific, cultural and educational purposes; (b) encourage exchanges of information and (d) create and develop in public opinion the understanding of the value of archaeological finds for the knowledge of the history of civilisation, and the threat caused to this heritage by uncontrolled excavations .
Law 1127/1981(32/Α/10-2-1981) ratifies the European Convention for the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage that was signed in London on 6 May 1969.
