Several ancient statues from the Roman period were taken during a robbery at the national museum in Syria’s capital, officials reported on Tuesday. The National Museum of Damascus had to close temporarily following the discovery of the theft early on Monday. The museum, which reopened in January after the 14-year civil war and the end of the 54-year Assad family regime, is home to priceless antiquities that reflect Syria’s extensive history.
Security measures, including metal gates and surveillance cameras, were put in place at the museum when the war broke out. According to an official from Syria’s Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums, six marble statues were stolen, and an investigation is currently underway.
The theft took place on Sunday night and was detected on Monday morning when a broken door in the classical department revealed that several Roman-era statues were missing. Authorities did not disclose the exact number of stolen artifacts, speaking on condition of anonymity. Police chief Brig.-Gen. Osama Atkeh stated that valuable statues and rare items were taken, with guards and other individuals being questioned.
The Directorate-General of Antiquities and Museums initiated an investigation and implemented immediate measures to safeguard the museum’s antiquities. The museum section where the theft occurred is renowned for its artifacts dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, as noted by Maamoun Abdulkarim, the former head of the Antiquities and Museums Department.
Following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, the museum reopened on January 8 amid concerns of potential looting. During the Syrian conflict that began in 2011, authorities transferred numerous priceless artifacts to Damascus from various regions, including Palmyra, a historic town once occupied by ISIS. In 2015, ISIS destroyed mausoleums in Palmyra’s UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its ancient Roman colonnades, ruins, and irreplaceable artifacts.
