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Valuable artifacts and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, sources confirm.

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

The half-dozen stolen sculptures were marble creations and traced back to the Roman period, one official told the Associated Press.

Cultural heritage officials said it had launched a probe to determine the "details surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been taken to improve safeguarding and surveillance.

The chief of internal security in the Damascus region, Brig-Gen Osama Atkeh, was quoted by the government press as stating that authorities were examining the robbery, which he said had targeted several "historical artifacts and rare collectibles".

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

The cultural institution, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the significant archaeological collection in the country.

It contains historical records dating back to the 14th Century BC from historical site, where indications of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; 1st and 2nd Century AD ancient art from the ancient city, one of the most important historical locations of the ancient world; and a third century Jewish temple that was constructed at another archaeological site.

The museum was had to cease operations in 2012, a year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the collection was transferred and preserved at secret locations to ensure their safety.

It reopened partially in 2018 and returned to normal in early this year, one month after opposition groups deposed Syria's former leader.

All six of nationally recognized sites were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The IS organization destroyed several ancient buildings and historical sites at the ancient city, asserting that they were against their beliefs. International authorities condemned the demolition as a violation.

Countless artefacts were also damaged or taken from archaeological sites and collections.