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Historic sculptures and cultural objects have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.

The theft was found on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been forced from the interior.

The multiple stolen sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman period, an authority told the news agency.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a number of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to strengthen protection and observation methods.

The director of internal security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that security forces were investigating the incident, which he said had targeted several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He noted that security personnel at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, holds the most important cultural treasures in the country.

It includes historical records originating to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important historical locations of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD synagogue that was constructed at another archaeological site.

The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the beginning of the internal strife. The majority of the artifacts was removed and preserved at undisclosed sites to protect them.

It partially resumed in 2018 and resumed full operations in early this year, one month after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.

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

The IS organization demolished several religious structures and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were un-Islamic. International authorities censured the destruction as a violation.

Countless historical objects were also damaged or stolen from historical locations and collections.