Governments should be responsible for protecting and preserving rare natural landscapes or other unique land features, significant ancient archeological sites or historical artifacts and any worthwhile land feature or artifact well enough to provide them with security and protection from common dangers such as weather and vandalism.

Any item identified as potentially possessing any significant historical or scientific value should immediately be treated in such a way that would give priority to the gathering of information before it is removed, destroyed or otherwise compromised. Such items should be immediately protected from natural or anthropogenic damage or destruction. If the item is controversial or highly valued, or sacred to some group of people, then reasonable measures should be taken to satisfy any concerns, especially with respect to destructive research techniques, vandalism, theft, etc. However, the scientific gathering of information should not be compromised or waived. The preservation of the historical accuracy of past events or items should take priority over accessibility (even to the disabled) and everything else, except maybe safety.

Penalties For Intentional Destruction of Archeological/Historical Items

The penalties for the intentional destruction of any item of significant historical value should be the median estimated auction value plus a multiple of at least 10 times that amount. High multiples, even higher than 10, should  be applied especially if such items were located within museums. The destruction of irreplaceable objects is a crime  that not just affects the present, but affects all future generations. Furthermore, the loss of such objects makes it that much more difficult for current and future generations to reconstruct and understand the past, especially with artifacts that relate to the distant past. During periods of rioting or civil unrest, ‘shoot-to-kill’ orders should be given to protect any archaeological museums or other locations that house artifacts with significant historical value.