Chapter One: Interpretation
In this Law “antiquity" means:
(1) any object, whether detached or fixed, which was made by man before the year 1700 of the general era, and includes anything subsequently added thereto which forms an integral part thereof ;
(2) any object referred to in paragraph (1) which was made by man in or after the year 1700 of the general era, which is of historical value* and which the Minister has declared to be an antiquity;
(3) zoological or botanical remains from before the year 1300 of the general era ;
“antiquity site” means an area which contains antiquities and in respect of which the Director has made a declaration under section 28 (a) ;
“land” includes any part of any sea, lake, river or other water and the bottom thereof ;
"excavation” or “digging” includes a search for antiquities and a trial digging ;
“collection” means an assemblage of antiquities, other than antiquities in the possession of a dealer in antiquities as trading stock ;
“collector” means a person who collects antiquities otherwise than for the purpose of trading therein ;
“museum” means any permanent exhibition of antiquities open to the public and any institution keeping a collection and exhibiting it for purposes of research, education or entertainment ;
“the Department” means the Department of Antiquities and Museums of the Ministry of Education and Culture ;
“the Council” means the Archaeological Council ;
“the Director” means the Director of the Department;
“the Minister” means the Minister of Education and Culture.
Chapter Two : State Ownership of Antiquities
2. (a) Where an antiquity is discovered or found in Israel after the coming into force of this Law. it and the area in which it is discovered or found and which is required for its preservation, shall within boundaries fixed by the Director become the property of the State.
(b) A person who alleges that any antiquity was discovered or found before the coining into force of this Law shall bear the onus of proof.
3. A person who discovers or finds an antiquity otherwise than in an excavation under a license pursuant to this Law shall notify the Director within fifteen days of the discovery or find.