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.
