The 1952 Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties expanded the coverage of the 1919 legislation. Copies -- paintings on paper -- of the mural paintings were commissioned by the government: from 1955 to 1965 the original tomb paintings were copied; since 1965 the restored paintings have been copied. Conservation measures taken to preserve tumuli since 1968 are reported; since 1970, numerous tumuli have been closed. The policy of dealing with new tumuli is to monitor environmental conditions so that any mural paintings will not be damaged by disturbing the environmental balance of the cave; scientific research is to be done under conditions which will not damage the site, and the tomb is to be resealed to insure longterm preservation (the closing system ). Construction design of tumuli and factors in their deterioration are reviewed.