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Valuable sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

The burglary was found on Monday, when staff apparently found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.

The half-dozen stolen pieces were crafted from marble and traced back to the Roman era, one official stated to the news agency.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had initiated an inquiry to establish the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a collection of exhibits", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen security and observation methods.

The head of national security in Damascus province, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as declaring that authorities were probing the incident, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He added that guards at the facility and additional people were being interviewed.

The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the significant archaeological collection in Syria.

It features ancient inscribed tablets originating to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where proof of the earliest writing system was uncovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from historical site, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient synagogue that was built at an ancient location.

The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, twelve months after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was removed and kept at secure places to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in 2018 and resumed full operations in January 2025, one month after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.

Each of the six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the conflict.

The Islamic State group demolished several ancient buildings and other structures at the archaeological site, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization condemned the destruction as a atrocity.

Countless cultural items were also lost or stolen from historical locations and collections.