No. Metal detecting in Egypt’s public parks is prohibited under Law No. 143 of 2019 on Antiquities, enforced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA), unless explicitly licensed for archaeological purposes. Unauthorized searches risk confiscation, fines up to EGP 500,000, or imprisonment under Article 42, as parks often contain protected cultural heritage.
Key Regulations for Metal Detecting in Public Parks in Egypt
- Antiquities Protection Law (No. 143/2019): Prohibits metal detecting without a MoTA-issued permit, classifying it as a threat to archaeological sites even in urban parks. Violations trigger administrative penalties or criminal prosecution under Article 42.
- Local Governance Law (No. 43/1979): Empowers governorates to enforce park-specific bylaws, including bans on unauthorized digging or probing, with municipal police authorized to issue on-site fines.
- 2023 MoTA Circular: Clarifies that “public parks” include green spaces managed by the Holding Company for Tourism and Parks, extending protections to all recreational areas unless designated for controlled archaeological surveys.