Ancient Artifacts Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Ancient sculptures and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.
The robbery was noticed on Monday, when employees allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.
The six taken sculptures were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, a source told the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a group of items", and that steps had been taken to enhance safeguarding and observation methods.
The head of internal security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as declaring that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".
He continued that security personnel at the museum and other individuals were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the significant archaeological collection in the country.
It contains historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where indications of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a third century synagogue that was built at another archaeological site.
The facility was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the internal strife. Most of the collection was removed and kept at secret locations to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, four weeks after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partly ruined during the conflict.
The Islamic State group destroyed numerous ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the destruction as a war crime.
Countless artefacts were also lost or looted from dig sites and cultural institutions.
