Article 5 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 5 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 بذلك الهيئة بنفسها أو من تخوله بالتنقيب فيها، وما يعثر عليه من آثار يصبح ملكاً للدولة. وللهيئة أن تتخلى عن الآثار الثابتة في الأرض إذا اقتضت الضرورة ذلك بعد أن تحدد أهميتها، وتبت في تصنيفها، وتوثقها، وتسجلها وفقاً لأحكام هذا النظام ولوائحه.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article separates ownership of land from ownership of the antiquities found in it.
- No freedom of disposal: owning or using land does not give the owner or user freedom to dispose of the fixed or movable antiquities on or under it.
- No excavation: the owner or user may not excavate for antiquities in the land.
- Who excavates: excavation is carried out by the Commission itself or by whomever it authorizes.
- What is found: it becomes State property.
Relinquishing fixed antiquities: the Commission may relinquish fixed antiquities in the land if necessary, but only after it:
- Determines their importance.
- Decides on their classification.
- Documents them.
- Registers them under the provisions of the Law and its regulations.
In practice, someone who finds antiquities on their land has no right to dig for them, sell them or move them by virtue of owning the land. Anyone facing such a situation should consider consulting a lawyer specializing in antiquities and urban heritage laws.
Practical example
Majed began digging the foundations of a house on his land in Qassim and old stone walls appeared. Owning the land does not give him the right to dispose of these antiquities or excavate them; excavation is for the Commission or whoever it authorizes, and whatever is found becomes State 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 5 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
If I find antiquities on my land, are they mine?
No. Owning land does not give its owner freedom to dispose of the antiquities on it or under it, and whatever antiquities are found become State property.
May I dig for antiquities on my land?
No. The owner or user may not excavate for antiquities in the land; the Commission or whoever it authorizes does so.
Can the Commission relinquish an antiquity on private land?
The Commission may relinquish fixed antiquities if necessary, after determining their importance and classifying, documenting and registering them.
More articles on State Ownership of Antiquities
- Article 2
All fixed and movable antiquities in the Kingdom and its maritime areas are public property of the State except for stated exceptions, and the owner of a movable antiquity must present it to the Commission for registration within two years of the Law taking effect.
تعد جميع الآثار الثابتة والمنقولة الموجودة في المملكة، أو في المناطق البحرية الخاضعة لسيادتها، أو ولايتها القانونية من الأملاك العامة للدولة، ويستثنى من ذلك ما
- Article 26
Fixed and movable submerged antiquities, whether discovered or not, in the maritime areas under the Kingdom's sovereignty or legal jurisdiction are State property.
تعد الآثار الغارقة الثابتـة والمنقولة، المكتشفة وغير المكتشفة، في المناطق البحرية الخاضعة لسيادة المملكة أو ولايتها القانونية؛ ملكاً للدولة.
- Article 35
Registered movable antiquities owned by the State may not be sold, and may not be given away without the approval of the Prime Minister, without prejudice to agreements the Kingdom is party to.
1 - لا يجوز بيع الآثار المنقولة المسجلة التي تملكها الدولة. 2 - دون إخلال بالاتفاقيات التي تكون المملكة طرفاً فيها، لا يجوز إهداء الآثار المنقولة المسجلة التي ت
- 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
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.