Ancient Sculptures Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable artifacts and additional items have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.
The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the interior.
The half-dozen stolen pieces were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, one official informed the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "details surrounding the loss of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been enacted to strengthen protection and surveillance.
The chief of national security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were probing the incident, which he said had focused on several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He continued that museum protectors at the museum and additional people were being interrogated.
The cultural institution, which was created in 1919, houses the significant historical artifacts in the country.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets originating to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was discovered; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was built at another archaeological site.
The institution was forced to close in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the artifacts was removed and kept at secure places to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, one month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of nationally recognized sites were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The Islamic State group destroyed multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco denounced the demolition as a violation.
Many historical objects were also damaged or stolen from historical locations and collections.
