🔗 Share this article Ancient Statues Removed from the National Museum in Damascus The National Museum resumed complete operations in the first month of this year, one month after the deposition of Syria's former leader. Valuable artifacts and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say. The theft was found on Monday, when staff reportedly found that one of the museum's doors had been forced from the inside. The six missing statues were made of marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, one official informed the media outlet. Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "events surrounding the loss of a number of items", and that steps had been taken to enhance protection and surveillance. The director of national security in Damascus province, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were investigating the theft, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and valuable objects". He added that museum protectors at the museum and other persons were being interviewed. The Damascus Museum, which was founded in 1919, holds the most important archaeological collection in Syria. It includes ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was uncovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, one of the most important cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at an ancient location. The facility was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. Most of the collection was evacuated and kept at secret locations to protect them. It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader. All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict. The IS organization demolished numerous ancient buildings and additional edifices at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the destruction as a violation. Countless artefacts were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.