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

The robbery was found on the start of the week, when employees apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.

The multiple stolen statues were marble creations and dated back to the Roman period, a source stated to the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to determine the "details surrounding the theft of a number of items", and that measures had been implemented to strengthen safeguarding and surveillance.

The chief of national security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the official media as saying that authorities were probing the robbery, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and unique items".

He added that museum protectors at the facility and other persons were being interrogated.

The National Museum, which was created in the early twentieth century, contains the primary historical artifacts in the country.

It features ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the ancient era from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest linguistic system was discovered; early centuries CE ancient art from the ancient city, a significant cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was established at an ancient location.

The institution was had to cease operations in 2012, twelve months after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. The majority of the artifacts was evacuated and stored at secure places to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, four weeks after rebel forces overthrew Syria's former leader.

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

The Islamic State group destroyed multiple temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, asserting that they were un-Islamic. Unesco condemned the demolition as a war crime.

Many historical objects were also destroyed or looted from archaeological sites and cultural institutions.