The 15th general assembly of ICOMOS in Xi’an,China

ICOMOS is a non-governmental organisation of professionals who work all over the world in the conservation of monuments and historic sites. ICOMOS is a forum for professionals to exchange information, and one of its functions is to gather, evaluate and diffuse information on the principles, techniques and politics of conservation.

 

Unlike objects in a collection, an archive or works of art which can be conserved in buildings dedicated to the task, and which facilitate conservation in a suitable environment - such as historic buildings, old towns, gardens, archaeological sites and large collections - have to be evaluated alongside their immediate surroundings. These surroundings contribute to and are part of the value of these heritage sites.