In UK we have legislation that protects buildings if they're significant (eg peculiar, famous, old). Perhaps we should have a law requiring digitisation of significant artefacts (at public expense) in order to sell works that may be of historical/cultural significance.
Honestly, I couldn't care less about keeping original documents, but preserving images of those documents seems reasonable.
Same would go for selling artwork or artefacts, offer true opportunity to national museums to retain a digital copy.
Fwiw, I like old artefacts, papers, books, even rusty old filling cabinets, but I don't see value for the country in preserving those things.
Also fwiw, I think the Listed Building laws go a bit far in some cases: preventing people's reasonable enjoyment of their own properties.
Honestly, I couldn't care less about keeping original documents, but preserving images of those documents seems reasonable.
Same would go for selling artwork or artefacts, offer true opportunity to national museums to retain a digital copy.
Fwiw, I like old artefacts, papers, books, even rusty old filling cabinets, but I don't see value for the country in preserving those things.
Also fwiw, I think the Listed Building laws go a bit far in some cases: preventing people's reasonable enjoyment of their own properties.