Historic Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.
The robbery was found on Monday, when employees reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.
The multiple stolen pieces were crafted from marble and traced back to the Roman period, an authority stated to the Associated Press.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been implemented to improve protection and observation methods.
The head of domestic security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He continued that guards at the facility and other persons were being interviewed.
The National Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the most important archaeological collection in the country.
It contains ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was established at another archaeological site.
The museum was forced to close in the early 2010s, one year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the artifacts was transferred and stored at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, a month after insurgents removed the Assad regime.
All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.
The militant faction blew up numerous religious structures and additional edifices at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization condemned the demolition as a war crime.
Many cultural items were also damaged or looted from dig sites and collections.
