Article 13 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 13 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تنسق الهيئة مع وزارة الداخلية، والجهات ذات العلاقة لوضع آلية تكفل حماية مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني.
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 13 explained in plain English
This is an organizational article about coordination between government bodies, and it does not impose a direct obligation on individuals.
- The responsible body: the Commission.
- The bodies it coordinates with: the Ministry of Interior and the related authorities.
- The purpose: setting a mechanism that ensures the protection of archaeological and urban heritage sites.
The article does not state the content or details of this mechanism and does not name the related authorities, so these matters are left to what the authorities agree on. No specific powers of the Ministry of Interior should be inferred from this text alone.
This article is among the protection provisions of the Law, and adds to them the coordinating dimension between the Commission and the security and other authorities, because protecting sites spread across the Kingdom's regions requires cooperation among several bodies. It is connected to Article 14, which provides that the Commission, in coordination with the concerned authorities, sets rules for investing in archaeological and urban heritage sites; coordination among authorities is a general feature of these provisions.
The article is addressed to government bodies, creates no direct rights or duties for individuals, and sets no deadline for establishing the mechanism.
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 13 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Who protects archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia?
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.
Does the article set out the details of the protection mechanism?
No. It provides for coordination to set the mechanism without stating its details.
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 10
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.
1- يمنع تطبيق قرارات المنح والتوزيع على مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني المتفق عليها مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية. 2 - تنسق وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية ووزا
- 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 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.