RIYADH: The Heritage Commission recorded 55 violations involving cultural heritage sites and artifacts across several regions of the Kingdom during the second quarter of 2026 as part of its efforts to protect archeological and heritage sites and promote compliance with heritage laws and regulations.
The commission said 16 field violations were identified through inspection tours and public reports. These included unauthorized excavation, illegal digging, altering archeological sites, and damaging informational and warning signs, gates, and protective fences.
The violations were recorded in Riyadh, Qassim, Asir, Tabuk, Northern Borders, and Baha regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The commission also recorded 12 violations detected through social media. These included unauthorized archeological surveys, entering archeological sites and publishing information about them, as well as using drones to photograph the sites.
Other violations involved unauthorized excavation, damage to heritage sites, possession of antiquities, and false claims linking signs and symbols to buried treasures or archaeological remains.
In addition, the commission recorded 27 violations involving the possession, sale, or promotion of archeological and cultural artifacts through social media, online marketplaces, and e-commerce platforms.
The items included coins, metal artifacts, vessels, stone sculptures, and other cultural objects offered without the required legal permits, the SPA reported.
Last week, the commission signed a memorandum of understanding with the Makkah Region Development Authority to strengthen cooperation in protecting and developing cultural heritage sites and enhancing their role in regional development.
The agreement integrates planning, development, and heritage preservation efforts to support the sustainability of heritage sites and enhance their cultural and economic impact.
The MoU seeks to expand cooperation in promoting community participation in cultural heritage activities and supporting national efforts to document and study ancient pilgrimage routes. It also includes developing frameworks to protect archeological sites in the region in line with best practices.
Areas of cooperation also include enhancing the exchange of technical expertise among relevant entities, improving the management of archeological sites during development projects, and ensuring field monitoring in line with approved professional standards.
The Heritage Commission urged citizens and residents to report violations affecting archeological or heritage sites through its official social media accounts, any of its offices or branches across the Kingdom, the Archeological Site Reporting service via the Abde'a platform, or the Unified Security Operations Center (911).
