Article 2 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 2 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
All fixed and movable antiquities in the Kingdom and its maritime areas are public property of the State except for stated exceptions, and the owner of a movable antiquity must present it to the Commission for registration within two years of the Law taking effect.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعد جميع الآثار الثابتة والمنقولة الموجودة في المملكة، أو في المناطق البحرية الخاضعة لسيادتها، أو ولايتها القانونية من الأملاك العامة للدولة، ويستثنى من ذلك ما يأتي:
1 - الآثار الثابتة التي يثبت أصحابها ملكيتهم لها أمام الجهات المختصة.
2 - الآثار المنقولة التي سجلت من قبل مالكيها لدى الهيئة.
3 - الآثار المنقولة التي لا ترى الهيئة ضرورة لتسجيلها.
وعلى كل من يملك أثراً منقولاً أن يعرضه على الهيئة لتسجيله خلال سنتين من تاريخ نفاذ هذا النظام.
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 2 explained in plain English
This article sets the starting rule on the ownership of antiquities: all fixed and movable antiquities found in the Kingdom or in the maritime areas under its sovereignty or legal jurisdiction are considered public property of the State.
Three cases are excepted:
- Fixed antiquities whose owners prove their ownership of them before the competent authorities.
- Movable antiquities that their owners have registered with the Commission.
- Movable antiquities that the Commission sees no need to register.
The article then imposes an important obligation: anyone who owns a movable antiquity must present it to the Commission for registration within two years of the date this Law takes effect.
In practice, this means private ownership of antiquities is not absolutely prohibited, but it is an exception that needs a basis: proof of ownership before the competent authorities for fixed antiquities, or registration with the Commission for movable ones, unless the Commission sees no need to register them. This is linked to Article 1, which defines what counts as an antiquity, including pieces that are not less than 100 years old.
Anyone who owns a piece they believe is archaeological and has not presented it for registration, or who has a dispute over the ownership of a fixed antiquity, should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in antiquities and urban heritage laws.
Practical example
Mohammed inherited from his grandfather in Hail a collection of old coins and jewelry that may be more than 100 years old. To keep them in his private ownership under this article, he must present them to the Commission for registration, unless the Commission sees no need to register them.
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 2 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Can individuals own antiquities in Saudi Arabia?
The rule is that antiquities are public property of the State. The exceptions are a fixed antiquity whose owner proves ownership before the competent authorities, and a movable antiquity that is registered with the Commission or that the Commission sees no need to register.
What is the deadline for registering a movable antiquity?
Anyone who owns a movable antiquity must present it to the Commission for registration within two years of the date the Law takes effect.
Does State ownership cover antiquities in the sea?
Yes. It covers antiquities found in the maritime areas under the Kingdom's sovereignty or legal jurisdiction.
More articles on State Ownership of Antiquities
- Article 5
Owning or using land does not give its owner or user freedom to dispose of or excavate the antiquities on or under it; what is found becomes State property, and the Commission may relinquish fixed antiquities in the land where necessary after documenting them.
لا تُكسب الأرض مالكها أو المنتفع بها حرية التصرف في الآثار الثابتة أو المنقولة التي على سطحها أو في باطنها، ولا يجوز لأي منهما التنقيب عن الآثار فيها، وتقوم بذل
- Article 26
Fixed and movable submerged antiquities, whether discovered or not, in the maritime areas under the Kingdom's sovereignty or legal jurisdiction are State property.
تعد الآثار الغارقة الثابتـة والمنقولة، المكتشفة وغير المكتشفة، في المناطق البحرية الخاضعة لسيادة المملكة أو ولايتها القانونية؛ ملكاً للدولة.
- Article 35
Registered movable antiquities owned by the State may not be sold, and may not be given away without the approval of the Prime Minister, without prejudice to agreements the Kingdom is party to.
1 - لا يجوز بيع الآثار المنقولة المسجلة التي تملكها الدولة. 2 - دون إخلال بالاتفاقيات التي تكون المملكة طرفاً فيها، لا يجوز إهداء الآثار المنقولة المسجلة التي ت
- Article 44
Discovered antiquities found by the Authority or a licensed excavator are State property that cannot be given up, though they may be exhibited and some may be lent for study for an agreed period.
1- تعد ملكاً للدولة جميع الآثار المكتشفة - التي تعثر عليها الهيئة أو المرخص له بالتنقيب عن الآثار - ولا يجوز التنازل عنها. ويجوز للرئيس أن يسمح للمرخص له بعرض م
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.