Buildings are the clearest expression of a people at a given historical period, exemplifying their way of living, their available technology and their artistic ideals. Being more durable than other cultural manifestations, often sheltering or incorporating other arts, such as sculpture, painting, furniture and popular art and artefacts, buildings make up the great majority of listed items, even those which are listed simply because of their historical significance.

In Brazil, the preservation of the country's cultural heritage, where it is of national importance, is the responsibility of the federal government, through the Institute for National Artistic and Historical Heritage (IPHAN). Under the Brazilian constitution, it is also the responsibility of state and municipal governments, within their respective spheres, to provide for the preservation of items of local or regional interest, and, of course, of national interest. In the same way as at federal level, state governments and many municipal governments have their own organs dedicated to cultural preservation. This is so that the number of significant listed items will grow and has two purposes: firstly, to protect the character of the item in question, and secondly to recognize and proclaim its exceptional or historic value.

Internet: <http://www.brazil.org.uk/page.php?cid=964> (with adaptations).

From the text above, it can be inferred that

buildings are as clear as any other expressions of a particular historical period.