🔗 Share this article Ancient Artifacts Taken from the National Museum in Damascus The Damascus Museum resumed complete operations in the first month of this year, a month after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. Ancient artifacts and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, sources confirm. The robbery was discovered on the start of the week, when staff apparently found that a doorway had been broken from the interior. The six missing sculptures were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, a source told the Associated Press. Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the loss of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been implemented to improve protection and surveillance. The director of internal security in the capital area, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that law enforcement were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects". He noted that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being interviewed. The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the most important cultural treasures in the country. It features ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where evidence of the most ancient complete alphabet was found; Greco-Roman period Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, one of the most important cultural centres of the historical period; and a third century religious building that was established at an ancient location. The facility was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was transferred and preserved at secret locations to ensure their safety. It began limited operations in recent years and completely reopened in January 2025, a month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader. Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partly ruined during the internal struggle. The militant faction demolished numerous ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization censured the damage as a atrocity. Many artefacts were also damaged or stolen from historical locations and cultural institutions.