<P> As an international body, UNESCO continues to work towards the preservation of cultural goods worldwide . Similar to cultural property, only physical goods that are bestowed to future generations may fall into the protection of cultural heritage . It is thus a form of inheritance that allows current and future generations to learn about significant historical events . Particular to the concept of heritage, international agreements exist under the Council of Europe such as the 1885 Convention on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage of Europe and the European Convention on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage . These bodies create broad legal protections around cultural heritage antiquities and sites that are specific to communities worldwide . The 1954 Hague Convention was truly the first international convention that attempted to discuss the protection of cultural heritage . In defining property that is considered' important' and' valuable' for the good of the people, the issue of protecting cultural property became noticeable to international parties . It was only in the 1972 UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, that the term' cultural heritage' was employed to define the cultural objects to be protected at an international level However, due to its expansive definition, the concept of cultural heritage was further revised in the 1992 European Convention on the Protection of Archaeological Heritage . They serve to assert the universal value of protecting cultural objects that make up the history and identity of nations . </P> <P> Along with the 100 - year limitation period, the 2001 UNESCO Convention included the phrase' cultural, historical or archaeological character' as the qualifying concepts that define underwater cultural heritage . Because many objects of cultural heritage lose their significance when taken out of water, this convention seeks to ensure the preservation of sunken sites . </P> <Dl> <Dt> Official text </Dt> </Dl> <P> The official text of the convention sets out the obligations of the states parties in regards to the protection of underwater cultural heritage, defined in Article 1 as: </P>

2001 convention on the protection of the underwater cultural heritage