Article 32 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 32 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للهيئة ترك الأثر المنقول المكتشف عن طريق الصدفة في حيازة مكتشفه بعد تسجيله، ولا يجوز لمكتشفه التصرف فيه دون موافقة الهيئة.
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 32 explained in plain English
This article answers a common question: does someone who finds an antiquity by chance keep what they found?
- Scope of the rule: a movable antiquity discovered by chance, not through excavation.
- The Commission's power: it may leave the antiquity in its discoverer's possession.
- The condition: this must be after it is registered.
- The restriction: the discoverer may not dispose of it, such as by selling or giving it away, without the Commission's approval.
The article speaks of possession and does not say that the antiquity becomes the discoverer's property. Leaving the antiquity with the discoverer is a power of the Commission, not a right established for the discoverer, so the Commission may leave it or not.
The registration the article requires means the Commission must have learned of the antiquity, so it is not conceivable to leave the antiquity in the discoverer's possession before it is registered. (See also Article 23 on reporting discovered antiquities.)
Anyone who holds a piece they found by chance and wants to sell it or transfer it to someone else must first obtain the Commission's approval. If they are unsure of their legal position, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in antiquities and urban heritage laws.
Practical example
Hind found an old ring in the desert sands near Rafha and notified the Commission. After it is registered, the Commission may leave it in her possession, but Hind may not sell it or give it away without the Commission's approval.
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 32 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Do I keep an antiquity I found by chance?
The Commission may leave a movable antiquity discovered by chance in its discoverer's possession after registering it.
May I sell an antiquity I found by chance?
The discoverer may not dispose of it without the Commission's approval.
More articles on Discovering and Reporting Antiquities
- Article 23
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.
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 علم
- 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 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.