Ancient Artifacts Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm.
The theft was found on Monday, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.
The half-dozen missing sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, one official informed the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the theft of a group of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to strengthen security and surveillance.
The chief of internal security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He added that guards at the facility and additional people were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was created in the early twentieth century, contains the significant archaeological collection in Syria.
It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient linguistic system was discovered; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, among the foremost historical locations of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was constructed at Dura Europos.
The institution was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the holdings was transferred and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, one month after opposition groups removed President Bashar al-Assad.
Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The Islamic State group destroyed numerous religious structures and additional edifices at the archaeological site, claiming that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a violation.
Many cultural items were also lost or stolen from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.
