The National Service for Archaeology, Cultural Landscape and Built Heritage (RACM) is responsible, with others, for managing the Netherlands' heritage both above and below the ground and under water. From the Middle Palaeolithic, some 350,000 years ago, to the post-war period of reconstruction. Whenever historic, archaeological or cultural landscape values are at stake, the RACM takes the lead in ensuring the conservation, statutory protection, conservation and investigation of the country's heritage. The keywords are quality and sustainability. In cases where no national or international values are involved, the RACM lobbies other authorities and public and private sector parties to manage our heritage in accordance with universally accepted standards.