Article 44 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 44 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 مكتشفاته من الآثار المنقولة لمدة يتفق عليها.
2 - يمكن إعارة المرخص له بالتنقيب عن الآثار أو الأفراد المرتبطين بجهة علمية؛ بعض الآثار المنقولة لمدة يتفق عليها، وذلك لدراستها وإجراء التحاليل اللازمة عليها أو ترميمها، ومن ثم إعادتها إلى الهيئة، وتبين اللوائح ضوابط ذلك.
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 44 explained in plain English
This article settles the fate of antiquities discovered in excavation work.
Paragraph (1) – Ownership and exhibition:
- All discovered antiquities found by the Authority or by a licensed excavator are considered State property.
- They may not be given up.
- The President may allow the licensee to exhibit the movable antiquities he has discovered for an agreed period.
Paragraph (2) – Loan for study:
- Some movable antiquities may be lent to the licensed excavator, or to individuals attached to a scientific body.
- For an agreed period.
- For the purpose of studying them, carrying out the necessary analyses on them, or restoring them.
- They must then be returned to the Authority.
- The regulations set the controls for this.
This means a licensed university or foreign mission does not acquire ownership of what it discovers, whatever its role in the discovery. What it is permitted is exhibition with the President's permission, or a temporary loan for study, analysis and restoration, with a duty to return.
This article is connected to Article 43, which gives the Authority and licensed bodies the right to survey and excavate in public and private property. The loan in the second paragraph is not limited to the licensee but also covers individuals attached to a scientific body.
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 44 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
Does a mission own the antiquities it discovers?
No. All discovered antiquities found by the Authority or a licensed excavator are State property and may not be given up.
Can a researcher borrow an antiquity for study?
Some movable antiquities may be lent to the licensed excavator or to individuals attached to a scientific body, for an agreed period, to study, analyze or restore them, and then returned to the Authority.
Can the excavator exhibit what he discovers?
The President may allow the licensee to exhibit the movable antiquities he has discovered for an agreed period.
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 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 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.