Valuable Artifacts Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.
The robbery was found on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the inside.
The half-dozen taken pieces were made of marble and originated to the Roman era, an authority informed the Associated Press.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a group of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to enhance protection and observation methods.
The director of domestic security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as declaring that authorities were investigating the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items".
He noted that security personnel at the museum and other individuals were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was founded in 1919, holds the most important archaeological collection in the country.
It includes clay cuneiform tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where evidence of the earliest complete alphabet was discovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from the ancient city, a significant ancient sites of the historical period; and a ancient synagogue that was established at an ancient location.
The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. A large portion of the artifacts was evacuated and kept at secret locations to safeguard them.
It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in the beginning of the year, a month after insurgents deposed the Assad regime.
All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the civil war.
The Islamic State group blew up numerous temples and additional edifices at the archaeological site, stating that they were idolatrous. International authorities condemned the damage as a atrocity.
Many cultural items were also lost or stolen from historical locations and collections.
