Article 10 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 10 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Grant and distribution decisions may not be applied to archaeological and urban heritage sites agreed upon with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, and the ministries coordinate with the Commission when preparing grant and agricultural plans.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يمنع تطبيق قرارات المنح والتوزيع على مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني المتفق عليها مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية.
2 - تنسق وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية ووزارة الزراعة مع الهيئة عند إعداد مخططات المنح والمخططات الزراعية في مناطق الآثار والتراث العمراني المحددة والمناطق المجاورة لها.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 10 explained in plain English
This article protects archaeological sites from being turned into granted or distributed land.
Paragraph (1) - barring grants: grant and distribution decisions may not be applied to archaeological and urban heritage sites agreed upon with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. The bar concerns sites that the Commission and the Ministry have agreed on, which is linked to Article 9, under which defining the sites is the Commission's responsibility in coordination with the Ministry.
Paragraph (2) - coordination on plans: the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture coordinate with the Commission when preparing:
- Grant plans.
- Agricultural plans.
This applies in defined antiquities and urban heritage areas and the areas adjoining them.
The aim of the provision is that archaeological sites are taken into account before land is distributed, not after, to avoid damage to them. The article does not say what happens to a grant issued before the site was agreed upon, and does not set the distance of the adjoining areas. Anyone who has received a grant that they suspect lies on an archaeological site should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in administrative matters.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 10 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Can land located on an archaeological site be granted?
Grant and distribution decisions may not be applied to archaeological and urban heritage sites agreed upon with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
Who coordinates with the Commission when preparing agricultural plans?
The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture coordinate with the Commission when preparing grant and agricultural plans in antiquities areas and the areas adjoining them.
More articles on Protecting Archaeological Sites from Encroachment
- Article 6
The article prohibits encroaching on, altering, damaging or defacing archaeological and urban heritage sites in any way, and bars placing signs and advertising on them without the Commission's approval.
1- يحظر التعدي على مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، أو تحويرها، أو إزالتها، أو إلحاق الضرر بها، أو تشويهها بالكتابة، أو الطلاء، أو النقش، أو إلصاق الإعلانات عليها
- Article 9
The Authority sets antiquities and urban heritage sites in coordination with the relevant bodies; they must be preserved in city plans, and building or restoration permits next to them are issued only in agreement with the Authority.
1- تحدد الهيئة مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، وتنسق مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية، والجهات المعنية الأخرى - كل فيما يخصه - في شأن ذلك. 2 - تجب المحافظة على م
- Article 11
Dangerous facilities may not be built near fixed antiquities except with the Commission's approval, and the regulations set the controls for this.
لا تجوز إقامة منشآت خطرة بالقرب من الآثار الثابتة إلا بموافقة الهيئة، وتبين اللوائح الضوابط الخاصة بذلك.
- Article 13
The Commission coordinates with the Ministry of Interior and the related authorities to set a mechanism ensuring the protection of archaeological and urban heritage sites.
تنسق الهيئة مع وزارة الداخلية، والجهات ذات العلاقة لوضع آلية تكفل حماية مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني.
- Article 22
Making changes in archaeological and urban heritage sites, using their rubble, or taking soil, stones or any other material from them is not permitted except with the Commission's approval and under its supervision.
لا يجوز الإحداث في مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، أو استعمال الأنقاض التي فيها، أو أخذ أتربة أو أحجار أو أي مادة أخرى منها، إلا بموافقة الهيئة وتحت إشرافها.
- Article 24
The article requires the Commission's prior approval for demolition, utility connections and new work inside archaeological and urban heritage sites, requires it to reply within 60 days, and subjects the work to its monitoring.
1 - لا يجوز القيام بأي من الأعمال الآتية داخل حدود مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني إلا بعد الحصول على موافقةٍ مسبقةٍ من الهيئة: أ - أعمال الهدم الكلي، أو الجزئي.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.