🔗 Share this article Valuable Statues Removed from the National Museum Located in Damascus The National Museum resumed complete operations in January of this year, a month after the overthrow of the Assad government. Ancient artifacts and other artefacts have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm. The theft was found on the start of the week, when museum workers allegedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside. The six taken sculptures were made of marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, a source stated to the news agency. Cultural heritage officials said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the theft of a group of items", and that measures had been taken to strengthen safeguarding and monitoring systems. The director of internal security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and valuable objects". He added that guards at the facility and other individuals were being questioned. The National Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, holds the most important cultural treasures in Syria. It features historical records dating back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where indications of the oldest known linguistic system was discovered; Greco-Roman period classical statues from historical site, among the foremost ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient Jewish temple that was established at Dura Europos. The museum was forced to close in the early 2010s, twelve months after the beginning of the internal strife. A large portion of the artifacts was removed and stored at secret locations to protect them. It reopened partially in recent years and completely reopened in early this year, four weeks after rebel forces deposed President Bashar al-Assad. All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or significantly impacted during the conflict. The IS organization demolished numerous temples and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were un-Islamic. International authorities censured the destruction as a violation. Countless historical objects were also lost or stolen from dig sites and museums.