The Ancient Monuments Preservation Act,1904
120. Power of Central Government to notify areas as protected
(1) If the 2[Central Government] 3* * * * is of opinion that excavation for archaeological purposes in any area should be restricted and regulated in the interest of archaeological research, the 2[Central Government] may, by notification in the 4[Official Gazette] specifying the boundaries of the area, declare it to be a protected area.
(2) From the date of such notification all antiquities buried in the protected area shall be the property of 6[the Crown] and shall be deemed to be in the possession of 5[the Crown], and shall remain the property and in the possession of 5[the Crown] until ownership thereof is transferred; but in all other respects the rights of any owner or occupier of land in such area shall not be affected.]
————————-
1. This heading and Ss. 20,20A,20B, and 20C were subs. by the Ancient Monuments Preservation (Amendment) Act,1932 (18 of 1932), s.3, for the original heading and s.20
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “G.G. in C.”
3. The words “after consulting the L.G.” rep, by the A.O. 1937.
4. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Gaszette of India” .
5. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Govt.”