Article 17 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 17 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
The Council may accept the transfer to the Authority of ownership of archaeological, historical, folk heritage and urban heritage sites by gift, purchase at a nominal price, or placing them at the Authority's disposal.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للمجلس الحق في قبول التنازل للهيئة عن ملكية مواقع الآثار، أو المواقع التاريخية، أو مواقع التراث الشعبي والتراث العمراني؛ عن طريق الهبة، أو الشراء بثمن رمزي، أو وضعها تحت تصرف الهيئة، وذلك بما لا يتعارض مع النصوص النظامية.
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 17 explained in plain English
This article provides a voluntary route for archaeological sites to pass to the Authority, in addition to the expropriation the Law allows (see Article 3).
Who accepts the transfer: the Council, that is, the Authority's Board of Directors under Article 1.
What may be transferred:
- Archaeological sites.
- Historical sites.
- Folk heritage sites.
- Urban heritage sites.
Forms of transfer:
- Gift.
- Purchase at a nominal price.
- Placing the site at the Authority's disposal.
All of this is to the extent it does not conflict with statutory provisions.
The article makes acceptance a right of the Council, not an obligation on it, so the Council may accept or decline. As for the third form, placing the site at the Authority's disposal, the text does not say it involves transfer of ownership; it merely gives the Authority control of the site.
This provision is useful for an owner who wants to preserve a site that he inherited or owns without bearing the burden of preserving it himself. Before making the transfer, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in real estate cases.
Practical example
A family in Asir owns an old stone palace that it can no longer maintain. It can offer the Authority to transfer it by gift, by sale at a nominal price, or by placing it at the Authority's disposal, and the Council may accept this to the extent it does not conflict with statutory provisions.
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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Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Qarawi Law and Notary Office, Riyadh
Frequently asked questions about Article 17 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Can I donate an archaeological site to the Authority?
Yes. The Council has the right to accept the transfer to the Authority of ownership of antiquities and heritage sites by gift.
What are the ways of transferring an archaeological site to the Authority?
Gift, purchase at a nominal price, or placing the site at the Authority's disposal, to the extent this does not conflict with statutory provisions.
Is the Authority bound to accept the transfer?
The article makes accepting the transfer a right of the Council, so it may accept it.
More articles on Expropriating Archaeological Sites and Compensation
- Article 3
The article allows the Commission, under the procedures of the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit, to acquire or temporarily take possession of archaeological and heritage sites, historic buildings, and those adjoining registered fixed antiquities.
يجوز للهيئة وفقاً للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار؛ امتلاك أو وضع اليد مؤقتاً على أي موقع أثري، أو
- Article 4
Where needed, the Commission, in coordination with the competent authorities, may vacate archaeological sites of their occupants for fair compensation under the expropriation law, and may leave sites at the disposal of their owners or beneficiaries under the regulations.
إذا اقتضى الأمر إخلاء مواقع الآثار من شاغليها، فللهيئة - بالتنسيق والتعاون مع الجهات المختصة - القيام بذلك لقاء تعويض عادل وفقاً للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في نظام
- Article 43
The Authority and licensed bodies may survey and excavate in public and private property in coordination with the owners, with private owners compensated for the value of the land if the immovable antiquity is retained, or for damage after excavation.
للهيئة والجهات المرخص لها حق المسح الأثري والتنقيب عن الآثار في الأملاك العامة والخاصة، وذلك بالتنسيق مع أصحابها أو من تقع تحت سلطتهم، فإن كانت هناك ضرورة للاحت
- Article 50
Classifying an urban heritage building or site obliges the State to protect it, or to share in protecting it if privately owned; it must be maintained and operated without altering its elements, and harm to it from the protection zone is prohibited.
يترتب على تصنيف مبنى أو موقع تراث عمراني ضمن سجل الآثار ما يأتي: 1 - التزام الدولة بحمايته والمحافظة عليه وتطويره إذا كان ملكاً لها، والمشاركة في جهود حمايته وا
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.