Heist at National Museum of Damascus Spurs Search for Missing Artifacts

"The National Museum of Damascus closed temporarily this week following the audacious theft of several artifacts from its classical department, Syrian cultural authorities confirmed on Tuesday. Established in 1919, the museum houses thousands of antiquities spanning from prehistory through the Roman and Byzantine eras, reflecting Syria's deep cultural heritage. Security at the museum was reinforced at the onset of Syria's 14-year civil war and the subsequent fall of the 54-year"

"The theft reportedly took place on Sunday night and was discovered Monday morning when a door was found broken. An anonymous source close to museum management told AFP that six items were stolen, describing them as gold ingots but declining to confirm their age or provenance. A security source told the news outlet that "several employees and guards at the museum were detained" following the theft, and were "subjected to interrogation before being released.""

"According to an official from Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums, who spoke anonymously to the Associated Press, six Hellenistic marble statues had also been taken from the classical department. (The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to government regulations prohibiting public statement.) ARTnews has contacted Syria's Directorate General for Antiquities and Museums for comment. The police chief in Damascus, Brig. Gen. Osama Atkeh, confirmed to state news agency SANA that several statues and prized collectibles were taken from the museum."

The National Museum of Damascus closed temporarily after a theft from its classical department. The museum, founded in 1919, holds antiquities from prehistory through Roman and Byzantine eras. Security was reinforced during Syria's 14-year civil war and after last December's fall of the Assad regime; the building was closed during the war and closed again on December 7, 2024, reopening in January. The theft occurred Sunday night and was discovered Monday morning with a broken door. Sources report six items taken, described as gold ingots, and six Hellenistic marble statues removed. Several employees and guards were detained and questioned. The Damascus police chief confirmed the theft and said an investigation is underway.

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