Ancient Roman Statues Stolen From Syria’s National Museum
Damascus, Syria – Thieves broke into Syria’s National Museum yesterday and stole six marble statues dating back to the Roman era, officials confirmed today.
The National Museum of Damascus was briefly closed after the heist was discovered early Monday. The museum, which reopened in January following 14 years of civil war and a change in leadership last year, houses a priceless collection of antiquities. An official from Syria’s Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums stated that an investigation is currently underway. Another official revealed the theft occurred Sunday night, discovered when a door to the classical department was found broken.
Police Chief Brig. Gen. Osama Atkeh told state news agency SANA that several statues and rare collectibles were stolen, and that guards and other individuals are being questioned. The stolen statues were located in a section of the museum containing artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, according to Maamoun Abdulkarim, the former head of the government’s antiquities and museums department. This theft underscores the ongoing challenges to protecting Syria’s cultural heritage, even after the end of active conflict. For more information on the importance of preserving cultural heritage, visit UNESCO’s Cultural Heritage page.
The Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums has launched a full investigation and implemented measures to secure the remaining artifacts. Syria’s rich archaeological sites, including the ancient city of Palmyra, have been vulnerable to looting and destruction during the years of conflict. Officials stated they will continue to work to ensure the safety of the nation’s historical treasures.
