Historic Artifacts Stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus
Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm.
The theft was discovered on Monday, when employees allegedly found that a doorway had been broken from the inside.
The half-dozen missing pieces were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, a source informed the media outlet.
Cultural heritage officials said it had opened an investigation to identify the "events surrounding the loss of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been enacted to enhance protection and surveillance.
The head of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were probing the incident, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".
He continued that museum protectors at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.
The Damascus Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, contains the primary cultural treasures in Syria.
It features clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was found; Greco-Roman period ancient art from the ancient city, among the foremost historical locations of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD Jewish temple that was constructed at an ancient location.
The museum was compelled to shut in the early 2010s, one year after the start of the destructive conflict. Most of the holdings was removed and preserved at secret locations to ensure their safety.
It partially resumed in 2018 and resumed full operations in early this year, a month after opposition groups overthrew the Assad regime.
Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were harmed or partially destroyed during the conflict.
The IS organization demolished numerous ancient buildings and other structures at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the damage as a violation.
Numerous historical objects were also lost or stolen from dig sites and museums.
