Article 4 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 4 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار، ويجوز للهيئة إبقاء تلك الأبنية والمواقع تحت تصرف مالكيها أو المنتفعين بها وفق اللوائح.
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 4 explained in plain English
This article deals with the case of people who occupy archaeological sites, whether as owners or beneficiaries.
Vacating:
- If it is necessary to vacate archaeological sites of their occupants, the Commission may do so in coordination and cooperation with the competent authorities.
- Vacating is for fair compensation.
- It is done under the procedures set out in the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit and Temporary Seizure of Property.
The alternative to vacating: the Commission may leave buildings and sites at the disposal of their owners or beneficiaries under the regulations. Vacating is not inevitable, and the text ties it to the phrase "where needed."
This article follows Article 3, which allows the Commission to acquire archaeological sites or take temporary possession of them under the same Law. The article does not state how compensation is calculated or its amount; it requires only that it be fair and follow the procedures of the expropriation law. Anyone who receives a notice to vacate and wants to know their rights to compensation should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in real estate matters.
Practical example
Abu Faisal's family has lived for years in a mud house within a historic neighborhood in Najran. If it is necessary to vacate the site, the Commission, in coordination with the competent authorities, may vacate it for fair compensation under the expropriation law, or may instead leave the house at their disposal under the regulations.
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 4 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Do I get compensation if I am evacuated from an archaeological site?
Yes. Vacating is for fair compensation under the procedures of the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for Public Benefit and Temporary Seizure of Property.
Must everyone living in an archaeological site be evacuated?
No. Vacating is done where needed, and the Commission may leave buildings and sites at the disposal of their owners or beneficiaries under the regulations.
Does the Commission carry out the evacuation alone?
It does so in coordination and cooperation with the competent authorities.
More articles on Expropriating Archaeological Sites and Compensation
- Article 3
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.
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
- 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.