Current Swedish cultural policy was laid down in 1974. It was decided that one of the aims of that policy must be to ensure that earlier periods of history would be preserved and brought to life. The Government Bill (Prop. 1987/88:104) on protection of the cultural environment is concerned with helping the general public understand that cultural qualities inherent in the urban and man-made rural environment need to be preserved. The aims of cultural environment protection are to: (1) preserve and invigorate the cultural heritage; (2) achieve continuity and harmony in contemporary development of the external environment; (3) promote local cultural identity; (4) counteract threats to the cultural environment; and (5) increase awareness of aesthetic values and historical contexts. Priority is given to the following: (1) measures to counter the impact of air pollution and acidification on cultural assets, (2) care of man-made landscape, archaeological remains and buildings, and (3) popular education, citizen involvement, and synthesis of existing knowledge. Cooperation between cultural environment protection authorities and museums needs to be developed, at both central and regional levels. The museums should be capable of taking responsibility for knowledge banks, expertise, and services. The Cultural Heritage Act provides statutory safeguards for archaeological remains, historic buildings, the ecclesiastical heritage, and artifact exportation regulations. (PPB)