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Dubai Ruler announces new law to protect antiquities, archaeological sites
The law aims to enhance understanding of the historical, cultural, and architectural significance of archaeological sites and artefacts in Dubai
- PUBLISHED: Fri 22 May 2026, 11:47 AM UPDATED: Fri 22 May 2026, 3:43 PM
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, has announced a new law on antiquities and archaeological sites in the emirate.
The law applies to existing and newly discovered archaeological sites and artefacts across all land, marine, and mountainous areas of Dubai, including special development zones and free zones, including the Dubai International Financial Centre.
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Objectives of the law:
To preserve, document, and classify antiquities discovered in Dubai to support their conservation and restoration
To raise awareness of Dubai's antiquities and archaeological sites, and highlight their historical, cultural, and architectural significance
To establish regulations that ensure their protection, support their optimal use, and provide an enabling institutional environment for managing and regulating archaeological activities in Dubai
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The law designates the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority as the entity responsible for overseeing antiquities and archaeological sites across the emirate.
Under the new law, antiquities and archaeological sites in Dubai are deemed the property of the emirate, except for privately owned movable or immovable artefacts and sites proven through possession, official documentation, or registration in the official register.
The law states that land ownership does not include rights over any antiquities found on or beneath it, nor does it authorise excavation or related works. Artefacts owned by the emirate of Dubai cannot be gifted except by approval of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, and may only be temporarily moved abroad for exhibition, restoration, or study with its permission.
The law also stipulates that artefacts owned by the emirate of Dubai may be loaned to official, scientific, or museum institutions inside or outside the country by decision of the Director General of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. The executive regulations of this Law set the criteria for gifting, temporary export, or loan of such artefacts, as well as the rules governing privately owned artefacts taken outside the emirate.
