Article 6 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
المادة 6 من نظام الآثار والمتاحف والتراث العمراني
The article prohibits encroaching on, altering, damaging or defacing archaeological and urban heritage sites in any way, and bars placing signs and advertising on them without the Commission's approval.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يحظر التعدي على مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، أو تحويرها، أو إزالتها، أو إلحاق الضرر بها، أو تشويهها بالكتابة، أو الطلاء، أو النقش، أو إلصاق الإعلانات عليها، أو افتعال الحريق فيها، أو تغيير معالمها، أو طمسها.
2- لا يجوز وضع اللافتات، أو اللوحات، أو غيرها من علامات الدعاية على مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني إلا بعد 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 6 explained in plain English
This is one of the most important protective articles in the Law, and it contains two provisions:
Paragraph (1) - prohibition of encroachment: any of the following acts against archaeological and urban heritage sites is prohibited:
- Encroaching on them.
- Altering them, removing them or damaging them.
- Defacing them by writing, painting or carving.
- Pasting advertisements on them.
- Setting fires in them.
- Changing or obliterating their features.
Paragraph (1) does not make this prohibition conditional on the Commission's approval, as paragraph (2) does.
Paragraph (2) - signs and advertising: signs, boards and other advertising marks may not be placed on archaeological and urban heritage sites except after the Commission's approval. The ban here is not absolute but conditional on obtaining approval.
The provision covers urban heritage sites as well as archaeological sites, and under Article 1, urban heritage includes cities, villages, neighborhoods and buildings that have urban, historical, cultural or national value. Any commemorative writing on an archaeological rock or historic wall counts as prohibited defacing.
Practical example
A shop owner in historic Jeddah wanted to hang a large advertising board on the facade of a heritage building, part of which he rents. He may not do so except after the Commission's approval, while writing or painting on the facade in a way that defaces it is prohibited outright.
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 6 of the Saudi Antiquities Law
May one write on archaeological rocks?
No. Defacing archaeological and urban heritage sites by writing, painting or carving is prohibited.
May a sign be placed on a heritage building?
Signs, boards or advertising marks may not be placed on archaeological and urban heritage sites except after the Commission's approval.
What acts are prohibited at archaeological sites?
Encroaching, altering, removing, damaging, defacing by writing, painting or carving, pasting advertisements, setting fires, changing features and obliterating them.
More articles on Protecting Archaeological Sites from Encroachment
- Article 9
The Authority sets antiquities and urban heritage sites in coordination with the relevant bodies; they must be preserved in city plans, and building or restoration permits next to them are issued only in agreement with the Authority.
1- تحدد الهيئة مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، وتنسق مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية، والجهات المعنية الأخرى - كل فيما يخصه - في شأن ذلك. 2 - تجب المحافظة على م
- Article 10
Grant and distribution decisions may not be applied to archaeological and urban heritage sites agreed upon with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, and the ministries coordinate with the Commission when preparing grant and agricultural plans.
1- يمنع تطبيق قرارات المنح والتوزيع على مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني المتفق عليها مع وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية. 2 - تنسق وزارة الشؤون البلدية والقروية ووزا
- Article 11
Dangerous facilities may not be built near fixed antiquities except with the Commission's approval, and the regulations set the controls for this.
لا تجوز إقامة منشآت خطرة بالقرب من الآثار الثابتة إلا بموافقة الهيئة، وتبين اللوائح الضوابط الخاصة بذلك.
- Article 13
The Commission coordinates with the Ministry of Interior and the related authorities to set a mechanism ensuring the protection of archaeological and urban heritage sites.
تنسق الهيئة مع وزارة الداخلية، والجهات ذات العلاقة لوضع آلية تكفل حماية مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني.
- Article 22
Making changes in archaeological and urban heritage sites, using their rubble, or taking soil, stones or any other material from them is not permitted except with the Commission's approval and under its supervision.
لا يجوز الإحداث في مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني، أو استعمال الأنقاض التي فيها، أو أخذ أتربة أو أحجار أو أي مادة أخرى منها، إلا بموافقة الهيئة وتحت إشرافها.
- Article 24
The article requires the Commission's prior approval for demolition, utility connections and new work inside archaeological and urban heritage sites, requires it to reply within 60 days, and subjects the work to its monitoring.
1 - لا يجوز القيام بأي من الأعمال الآتية داخل حدود مواقع الآثار والتراث العمراني إلا بعد الحصول على موافقةٍ مسبقةٍ من الهيئة: أ - أعمال الهدم الكلي، أو الجزئي.
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.