Valuable Sculptures Stolen from the National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, officials say.
The burglary was found on Monday, when museum workers reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the interior.
The multiple missing sculptures were made of marble and traced back to the Roman period, a source told the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the loss of a collection of artifacts", and that actions had been enacted to strengthen security and observation methods.
The head of internal security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had focused on several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He continued that security personnel at the museum and additional people were being interrogated.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the most important historical artifacts in Syria.
It includes ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where evidence of the oldest known linguistic system was uncovered; early centuries CE ancient art from historical site, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the destructive conflict. Most of the artifacts was transferred and stored at secret locations to protect them.
It began limited operations in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, a month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.
Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The IS organization blew up numerous temples and historical sites at the ancient city, claiming that they were un-Islamic. International authorities condemned the demolition as a violation.
Many artefacts were also damaged or looted from archaeological sites and collections.
