Article 3 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 3 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
The article allows the Commission, under the procedures of the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit, to acquire or temporarily take possession of archaeological and heritage sites, historic buildings, and those adjoining registered fixed antiquities.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز للهيئة وفقاً للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار؛ امتلاك أو وضع اليد مؤقتاً على أي موقع أثري، أو موقع تراث عمراني، أو شعبي، أو مبنى تاريخي، كما يجوز لها امتلاك أو وضع اليد مؤقتاً على المباني، أو الأراضي المجاورة للآثار الثابتة المسجلة.
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 3 explained in plain English
This article gives the Commission a legal means of protecting important sites when they are owned by others: acquisition or temporary possession.
What the Commission may acquire or temporarily take possession of:
- Any archaeological site.
- Any urban or folk heritage site.
- Any historic building.
- Buildings or land adjoining registered fixed antiquities.
The procedures followed: this article does not create special procedures but refers to the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit and Temporary Seizure of Property. The owner enjoys the safeguards and procedures set out in that Law, and this article does not state their details.
Note that the provision is permissive ("the Commission may"), that is, a power the Commission exercises as it sees fit. It is complemented by Article 4, which allows archaeological sites to be vacated of their occupants for fair compensation, and allows buildings and sites to be left at the disposal of their owners or beneficiaries under the regulations.
Anyone who owns real estate that the Commission is moving to expropriate or take possession of should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in real estate or administrative matters to learn their rights under the expropriation law.
Practical example
Sultan owns land next to a registered fixed archaeological site in AlUla. The Commission may acquire his land or take temporary possession of it, following in doing so the procedures of the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit and Temporary Seizure of Property.
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 3 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Does the Antiquities Commission have the right to expropriate my land?
The Commission may acquire archaeological and heritage sites, historic buildings, and buildings and land adjoining registered fixed antiquities, under the procedures of the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit.
What procedures does the Commission follow in expropriation?
The article refers to the procedures set out in the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit and Temporary Seizure of Property.
Does the provision cover land adjoining an archaeological site?
Yes, if it adjoins registered fixed antiquities.
More articles on Expropriating Archaeological Sites and Compensation
- Article 4
Where needed, the Commission, in coordination with the competent authorities, may vacate archaeological sites of their occupants for fair compensation under the expropriation law, and may leave sites at the disposal of their owners or beneficiaries under the regulations.
إذا اقتضى الأمر إخلاء مواقع الآثار من شاغليها، فللهيئة - بالتنسيق والتعاون مع الجهات المختصة - القيام بذلك لقاء تعويض عادل وفقاً للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في نظام
- Article 17
The Council may accept the transfer to the Commission of ownership of archaeological sites, historic sites, and folk and urban heritage sites by gift, purchase at a nominal price, or placing them at the Commission's disposal.
للمجلس الحق في قبول التنازل للهيئة عن ملكية مواقع الآثار، أو المواقع التاريخية، أو مواقع التراث الشعبي والتراث العمراني؛ عن طريق الهبة، أو الشراء بثمن رمزي، أو
- Article 43
The Authority and licensed bodies may survey and excavate in public and private property in coordination with the owners, with private owners compensated for the value of the land if the immovable antiquity is retained, or for damage after excavation.
للهيئة والجهات المرخص لها حق المسح الأثري والتنقيب عن الآثار في الأملاك العامة والخاصة، وذلك بالتنسيق مع أصحابها أو من تقع تحت سلطتهم، فإن كانت هناك ضرورة للاحت
- Article 50
Classifying an urban heritage building or site obliges the State to protect it, or to share in protecting it if privately owned; it must be maintained and operated without altering its elements, and harm to it from the protection zone is prohibited.
يترتب على تصنيف مبنى أو موقع تراث عمراني ضمن سجل الآثار ما يأتي: 1 - التزام الدولة بحمايته والمحافظة عليه وتطويره إذا كان ملكاً لها، والمشاركة في جهود حمايته وا
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.