Article 22 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 22 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article protects the components of the sites themselves from tampering or exploitation.
Acts prohibited without approval:
- Making changes in archaeological and urban heritage sites, that is, introducing something new in them.
- Using the rubble found in them.
- Taking soil or stones or any other material from them.
The two conditions: these acts are permitted only if both of the following are met:
- The Commission's approval.
- That they are done under its supervision.
Approval alone is not enough if the work is done away from the Commission's supervision.
Some may think that fallen stones or soil in old sites are abandoned and may be taken for use in building or decoration, but this article expressly prohibits that except under the two conditions mentioned.
This provision complements Article 23, which requires notifying the Commission or the nearest government authority immediately on discovering an antiquity, so preserving the components of sites and protecting them from tampering is a shared responsibility. Anyone accused of violating this provision should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in criminal matters.
Practical example
Saleh noticed carved stones scattered at an archaeological site near his village in Al-Baha and thought of moving them to decorate his home garden. This is not permitted except with the Commission's approval and under its supervision.
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 22 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
May stones be taken from an archaeological site?
Taking soil, stones or any other material from archaeological and urban heritage sites is not permitted except with the Commission's approval and under its supervision.
May rubble of a heritage building be used in construction?
Using the rubble found in archaeological and urban heritage sites is not permitted except with the Commission's approval and under its supervision.
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 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 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.