Article 43 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 43 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 للاحتفاظ بالأثر المكتشف الثابت؛ فيعوض أصحاب الأملاك الخاصة عن قيمة الأرض التي فيها الأثر، وإن لم تكن هناك ضرورة لذلك؛ فيقدر التعويض عن الأضرار بعد انتهاء أعمال التنقيب، وذلك وفقاً للإجراءات المنصوص عليها في نظام نزع ملكية العقارات للمنفعة العامة ووضع اليد المؤقت على العقار.
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 43 explained in plain English
This article regulates excavation on other people's property and compensation of the owner.
The right to excavate: the Authority and licensed bodies have the right to conduct archaeological surveys and excavate in public and private property, in coordination with the owners or those under whose authority the property falls.
Compensation – two cases:
- If there is a need to retain the immovable antiquity that is discovered: owners of private property are compensated for the value of the land containing the antiquity.
- If there is no such need: compensation for damage is assessed after the excavation work ends.
In both cases this is done under the procedures set out in the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for the Public Interest and Temporary Seizure of Real Estate.
Note that the text gives compensation to owners of private property.
The article is linked to Article 42, which makes archaeological survey and excavation the right of the Authority alone while allowing it to license scientific bodies and missions; this article sets out where that right is exercised and how the owner is compensated. Anyone whose property is subject to excavation work and who wants to assess their compensation would be wise to consult a lawyer who specializes in real estate matters.
Practical example
A licensed mission discovers the foundations of an ancient building on farmland owned by Hamad in Al-Jawf, after coordinating with him. If the authorities see a need to retain the antiquity, Hamad is compensated for the value of the land containing it; otherwise his compensation for damage is assessed after the excavation ends, under the procedures of the expropriation law.
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 43 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Does the Authority have the right to excavate on my private land?
The Authority and licensed bodies have the right to conduct archaeological surveys and excavate in public and private property, in coordination with the owners or those under whose authority the property falls.
Will I be compensated if the Authority retains the antiquity on my land?
Yes. If there is a need to retain the immovable antiquity that is discovered, the owner of private property is compensated for the value of the land containing the antiquity.
What if the Authority does not retain the antiquity?
Compensation for damage is assessed after the excavation work ends, under the procedures of the Law of Expropriation of Real Estate for the Public Interest.
More articles on Archaeological Survey and Excavation
- Article 5
Owning or using land does not give its owner or user freedom to dispose of or excavate the antiquities on or under it; what is found becomes State property, and the Commission may relinquish fixed antiquities in the land where necessary after documenting them.
لا تُكسب الأرض مالكها أو المنتفع بها حرية التصرف في الآثار الثابتة أو المنقولة التي على سطحها أو في باطنها، ولا يجوز لأي منهما التنقيب عن الآثار فيها، وتقوم بذل
- Article 42
The Authority alone has the right to conduct archaeological surveys and excavation, including submerged antiquities, and in coordination with the competent bodies may license universities, scientific bodies, excavators and foreign missions to do so.
الهيئة وحدها هي صاحبة الحق في المسح الأثري والتنقيب عن الآثار، ويتضمن ذلك الآثار الغارقة في المناطق البحرية الخاضعة لسيادة المملكة أو ولايتها القانونية، ويجوز ل
- Article 44
Discovered antiquities found by the Authority or a licensed excavator are State property that cannot be given up, though they may be exhibited and some may be lent for study for an agreed period.
1- تعد ملكاً للدولة جميع الآثار المكتشفة - التي تعثر عليها الهيئة أو المرخص له بالتنقيب عن الآثار - ولا يجوز التنازل عنها. ويجوز للرئيس أن يسمح للمرخص له بعرض م
- Article 72Amended by M/67
Imprisonment from 3 months to 3 years and a fine of SAR 20,000 to SAR 300,000, or either penalty, for anyone who interferes with an antiquity or heritage site or excavates without a license.
يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تقل عن (ثلاثة) أشهر ولا تزيد على (ثلاث) سنوات، وبغرامة لا تقل عن (عشرين ألف) ريال ولا تزيد على (ثلاثمائة ألف) ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتي
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.