The need for dynamic management of the archaeological heritage, aptly if somewhat ponderously described as "a non-renewable cultural resource’, was first recognized in the USA in the early 1970s following the passage of the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act (still fondly known to veterans of the struggles that led up to its enactment as "Moss-Bennett’ after its sponsors in the House of Representatives). The message spread slowly across the world and into the consciousness of international bodies.