🔗 Share this article Valuable Artifacts Removed from Syria's National Museum in Damascus The Damascus Museum reopened fully in the first month of this year, a month after the overthrow of Syria's former leader. Valuable sculptures and other artefacts have been taken from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report. The burglary was found on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that one of the museum's doors had been broken from the interior. The multiple stolen sculptures were marble creations and originated to the Roman era, a source stated to the Associated Press. The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to establish the "events surrounding the disappearance of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been implemented to enhance protection and monitoring systems. The director of national security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as stating that law enforcement were investigating the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and unique items". He added that security personnel at the institution and other individuals were being interrogated. The National Museum, which was created in 1919, contains the primary cultural treasures in Syria. It features clay cuneiform tablets dating back to the Bronze Age from Ugarit, where indications of the earliest writing system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, a significant historical locations of the historical period; and a third century synagogue that was built at an ancient location. The institution was forced to close in the early 2010s, one year after the start of the destructive conflict. The majority of the artifacts was removed and kept at undisclosed sites to protect them. It reopened partially in recent years and resumed full operations in January 2025, four weeks after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader. Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partially destroyed during the internal struggle. The IS organization destroyed multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at the archaeological site, stating that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization denounced the destruction as a atrocity. Countless cultural items were also damaged or stolen from archaeological sites and museums.