Ancient Sculptures Removed from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus
Valuable statues and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when employees apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.
The multiple missing sculptures were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, an authority informed the media outlet.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that measures had been implemented to enhance security and observation methods.
The chief of national security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".
He continued that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being questioned.
The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the significant historical artifacts in the country.
It contains clay cuneiform tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, a significant cultural centres of the classical era; and a ancient religious building that was constructed at another archaeological site.
The museum was forced to close in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was removed and stored at secure places to ensure their safety.
It began limited operations in 2018 and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after insurgents removed President Bashar al-Assad.
All six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or significantly impacted during the conflict.
The militant faction demolished multiple temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, claiming that they were against their beliefs. International authorities condemned the destruction as a atrocity.
Countless historical objects were also lost or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.
