🔗 Share this article Ancient Sculptures Stolen from Syria's National Museum Located in Damascus The Damascus Museum reopened fully in January of this year, four weeks after the removal of Syria's former leader. Ancient statues and other artefacts have been taken from Syria's National Museum in the capital, officials say. The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside. The multiple stolen statues were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, one official informed the Associated Press. Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the theft of a number of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to strengthen security and observation methods. The head of national security in the capital area, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as declaring that authorities were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items". He added that security personnel at the museum and other persons were being interrogated. The Damascus Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the significant archaeological collection in the country. It includes clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where indications of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important ancient sites of the ancient world; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site. The museum was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the beginning of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety. It partially resumed in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader. Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partly ruined during the conflict. The Islamic State group destroyed numerous religious structures and other structures at the archaeological site, claiming that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization censured the demolition as a violation. Many artefacts were also damaged or taken from historical locations and museums.