Article 19 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 19 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Anyone occupying an archaeological, historical, folk heritage or urban heritage site must allow the Authority's competent employees to enter in order to view and study it in accordance with statutory procedures.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كل شخص يشغل موقعاً أثرياً، أو تاريخياً، أو موقع تراث شعبي، أو عمراني؛ أن يسمح لموظفي الهيئة المختصين بالدخول؛ للاطلاع عليه ودراسته وفقاً للإجراءات 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 19 explained in plain English
This article places an obligation on occupants of sites to enable the Authority to carry out its work.
- On whom the obligation falls: every person who occupies an archaeological or historical site or a folk heritage or urban heritage site. The text speaks of the "occupant", so it covers the owner and anyone else who occupies the site. Under Article 1, "person" includes natural and legal persons, public and private.
- Content of the obligation: to allow the Authority's competent employees to enter.
- Purpose: to view and study the site.
- Safeguard: this must be done in accordance with statutory procedures.
The provision balances two things: the Authority's need to study and document sites, and the occupant's right not to be entered upon except by statutory procedures. Entry is limited to the Authority's competent employees, and to the purpose of viewing and study. The article does not specify the details of these procedures, such as advance notice or entry times.
This obligation relates to Article 18, which requires anyone in whose ownership or under whose authority a registered antiquity or urban heritage site falls to preserve it, since the Authority's viewing of the site is a means of following its condition. Anyone with a question about how entry works in their case can consult a lawyer specializing in antiquities and urban heritage law.
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 19 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Do the Authority's employees have the right to enter a heritage site where I live?
Everyone who occupies an archaeological, historical, folk heritage or urban heritage site must allow the Authority's competent employees to enter to view and study it in accordance with statutory procedures.
Why do the Authority's employees enter sites?
To view and study the site, in accordance with statutory procedures.
More articles on Investing in Archaeological Sites and the Antiquities Fund
- Article 14
The Authority, in coordination with the relevant bodies, sets the rules for investing in antiquities and urban heritage sites.
تضع الهيئة - بالتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية - قواعد استثمار مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني.
- Article 18
The article requires whoever owns or controls a registered antiquity or urban heritage site to preserve it, requires a Commission license to invest in or operate it, obliges the investor to maintain it, and allows a charge for visits.
1- على الشخص الذي يقع في ملكيته أو تحت سلطته أثر أو موقع تراث عمراني مسجل في سجل الآثار، أو التراث العمراني؛ المحافظة عليه. 2 - لا يجوز استثمار الأثر وموقع التر
- Article 20
The article creates the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund to spend on protecting antiquities, building museums and supporting the private sector, and sets its resources from revenues, compensation and donations.
1- ينشأ في الهيئة صندوق يسمى (صندوق الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني)؛ للإنفاق منه على حماية الآثار، والتراث العمراني، والمحافظة عليها، وصيانتها، وعرضها، وتوظيف
- Article 21
The Commission, under existing laws, encourages the creation of associations specialized in antiquities, heritage and museums, and these associations may benefit from the support of the Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage Fund.
تشجع الهيئة - وفقاً للأنظمة القائمة - إنشاء جمعيات متخصصة في مجال الآثار والتراث والمتاحف، ويكون لهذه الجمعيات الاستفادة من دعم صندوق الآثار والمتاحف والتراث ال
- Article 52
The article refers to the regulations the mechanism for contributing to the costs of maintaining, repairing and restoring a classified urban heritage building or site if its owner is unable to do so.
تبين اللوائح آلية المساهمة في تكاليف صيانة مبنى أو موقع التراث العمراني المصنف وإصلاحه وترميمه، إذا عجز مالكه عن القيام بذلك.
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.