LA PROTECCIÓN JURÍDICA DEL PATRIMONIO CULTURAL SUBACUÁTICO FRENTE AL EXPOLIO

Abstract

Objects belonging to the underwater cultural heritage have always been extracted without any care for their archaeological value, however modern diving techniques have enabled divers to retrieve materials with greater ease. Laws have reacted to prevent looting of underwater cultural heritage. Presently we have a series of regulations, both on a national and international scale, which assure its protection, although we have to face contradictions and gaps in these regulations. Naturally looters take advantage of these shortcomings. This paper overviews the current regulations and discusses legal process of some well-known cases.