🔗 Share this article Ancient Artifacts Taken from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus The Damascus Museum reopened fully in January of 2025, a month after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. Ancient statues and cultural objects have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report. The theft was found on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the interior. The half-dozen missing sculptures were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman period, one official informed the Associated Press. Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a group of items", and that steps had been taken to strengthen safeguarding and observation methods. The director of domestic security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was quoted by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that security forces were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and unique items". He added that guards at the facility and other persons were being questioned. The Damascus Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, houses the primary archaeological collection in the country. It contains ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where indications of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from the ancient city, among the foremost cultural centres of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was established at another archaeological site. The facility was forced to close in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the collection was transferred 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 insurgents deposed Syria's former leader. Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the internal struggle. The militant faction blew up numerous religious structures and additional edifices at the ancient city, claiming that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a atrocity. Numerous artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and collections.