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Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been taken from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, authorities report.

The theft was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers reportedly found that an entrance had been broken from the interior.

The half-dozen missing statues were marble creations and originated to the ancient Roman times, an authority informed the Associated Press.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to establish the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a group of exhibits", and that steps had been enacted to strengthen protection and surveillance.

The chief of national security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was cited by the official media as stating that security forces were examining the robbery, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

He continued that museum protectors at the museum and other persons were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was established in 1919, contains the most important cultural treasures in the country.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets tracing back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where evidence of the oldest known writing system was found; 1st and 2nd Century AD Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, one of the most important historical locations of the classical era; and a third century religious building that was established at Dura Europos.

The facility was compelled to shut in 2012, twelve months after the start of the devastating civil war. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and preserved at undisclosed sites to safeguard them.

It reopened partially in 2018 and completely reopened in the beginning of the year, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.

All six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization destroyed multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, stating that they were against their beliefs. The cultural organization denounced the damage as a atrocity.

Countless artefacts were also damaged or looted from dig sites and cultural institutions.