Article 23 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 23 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
Anyone who discovers a fixed or movable antiquity, or knows of its discovery, must notify the Commission or the nearest government authority immediately, and that authority must protect the antiquity and promptly inform the Commission.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
على كل من يكتشف أثراً ثابتاً أو منقولاً، أو يعلم باكتشافه، أن يبلغ الهيئة أو أقرب سلطة حكومية إليه فوراً، وعلى هذه السلطة توفير الحماية للأثر، وإحاطة الهيئة علماً بذلك على وجه السرعة.
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 23 explained in plain English
This article sets the duty to report discovered antiquities.
Who bears the duty:
- Anyone who discovers a fixed or movable antiquity.
- Anyone who knows of its discovery, even if they were not the discoverer.
To whom the report is made: to the Commission, or to the nearest government authority.
When: immediately.
The government authority's duty: if the authority receives the report, it must:
- Provide protection for the antiquity.
- Promptly inform the Commission of this.
This provision makes reporting easy for people, as it does not require going to the Commission itself; it is enough to notify the nearest government body. The duty covers fixed and movable antiquities as defined in Article 1.
Note that the article does not specify how to report and does not require the report to be in writing, but it requires that it be immediate. The government authority that receives the report does not merely pass it on; it must also protect the antiquity. For the provisions on what is discovered underwater and what is discovered by chance, Articles 27 and 32 can be consulted.
Practical example
Ali was walking in a valley near Taif and found old pottery showing in the soil. He must notify the Commission or the nearest government authority immediately, and that authority must protect the antiquity and promptly inform the Commission.
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 23 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
What should I do if I find an archaeological piece?
You must notify the Commission or the nearest government authority immediately.
Must I report if I learn of someone else's discovery?
Yes. The duty to report falls on anyone who discovers the antiquity and anyone who knows of its discovery.
Must I go to the Antiquities Commission itself to report?
No. You may report to the nearest government authority, which must protect the antiquity and promptly inform the Commission.
More articles on Discovering and Reporting Antiquities
- Article 27
Whoever discovers an underwater archaeological site, shipwreck or archaeological piece must leave it in place and report immediately, and whoever retrieves a piece by chance must report it and hand it over within a week.
1- على كل من يكتشف موقعاً أثرياً تحت الماء، أو حطاماً لسفن، أو قطعة أثرية منقولة؛ أن يتركها في مكانها، وألّا يلحق بها أي ضرر أو تغيير، وأن يبلغ الهيئة أو أقرب س
- Article 32
The Commission may leave a movable antiquity discovered by chance in its discoverer's possession after registering it, and the discoverer may not dispose of it without the Commission's approval.
للهيئة ترك الأثر المنقول المكتشف عن طريق الصدفة في حيازة مكتشفه بعد تسجيله، ولا يجوز لمكتشفه التصرف فيه دون موافقة الهيئة.
- Article 89
The Authority grants a financial reward, as the regulations provide, to those who help seize antiquities, report violations, accidentally discover an important antiquity, or guide it to unknown sites.
تمنح الهيئة مكافأة مالية بحسب ما تبينه اللوائح لكل من: 1 - ساعد على ضبط أثر تم العثور عليه، أو جرى تداوله بصورة مخالفة لأحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه. 2 - قدم معلوما
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.