Article 27 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 27 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 سلطة حكومية بوجودها فوراً، وعلى هذه السلطة أن تحيط الهيئة علماً بذلك على وجه السرعة.
2- على كل من ينتشل من تحت الماء عن طريق الصدفة قطعة أثرية أن يبلغ عنها، ويسلمها إلى الهيئة أو أي سلطة حكومية قريبة منه خلال أسبوع من تاريخ انتشالها.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article sets the rules for dealing with underwater discoveries.
Paragraph (1) - on discovery: whoever discovers an underwater archaeological site, a shipwreck or a movable archaeological piece must:
- Leave it in place.
- Not cause it any harm or change.
- Notify the Commission or the nearest government authority of its existence immediately.
The authority that receives the report must promptly inform the Commission.
Paragraph (2) - retrieval by chance: whoever retrieves an archaeological piece from underwater by chance must:
- Report it.
- Hand it over to the Commission or any government authority near them.
- Within a week of the date they retrieved it.
The difference between the two paragraphs is important: the rule is to leave the antiquity where it is and not retrieve it, while someone who retrieved a piece by chance, for example one caught in a fishing net, is given a week to report and hand it over. The article does not address deliberate retrieval.
This provision is linked to Article 26, which makes submerged antiquities State property, so the discoverer does not acquire ownership of them. Anyone who retrieved a piece and did not hand it over on time and needs an assessment of their position should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in criminal matters.
Practical example
An old piece of pottery got caught in a fisherman's nets in the Red Sea near Umluj without him meaning to retrieve it. He must report it and hand it over to the Commission or the nearest government authority within a week of the date he retrieved it.
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 27 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
What should I do if I find a shipwreck while diving?
Leave it in place without causing it harm or change, and notify the Commission or the nearest government authority of its existence immediately.
What is the deadline for handing over an archaeological piece retrieved by chance from the sea?
Within a week of the date it was retrieved, with a report of it and handing it over to the Commission or any nearby government authority.
May an antiquity be retrieved after being discovered underwater?
The article requires the discoverer to leave the antiquity in place, not cause it any harm or change, and report it immediately.
More articles on Underwater Antiquities
- 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 28
If submerged antiquities, or antiquities retrieved from the maritime areas under the Kingdom's sovereignty or jurisdiction, face dangers threatening their safety or survival, the Commission must take the measures needed to preserve them.
إذا تعرضت الآثار الغارقة أو المنتشلة من المناطق البحرية الخاضعة لسيادة المملكة أو ولايتها القانونية، لأخطار تهدد سلامتها أو بقاءها؛ فعلى الهيئة اتخاذ التدابير ا
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.