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Ancient sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in the capital, authorities report.

The robbery was found on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been damaged from the inside.

The half-dozen stolen pieces were marble creations and originated to the Roman period, a source stated to the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had launched a probe to establish the "circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a number of exhibits", and that actions had been taken to strengthen safeguarding and surveillance.

The chief of internal security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the state-run Sana news agency as saying that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

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

The Damascus Museum, which was established in the early twentieth century, contains the most important historical artifacts in Syria.

It includes ancient inscribed tablets originating to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century Jewish temple that was established at an ancient location.

The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, a year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. Most of the artifacts was evacuated and preserved at secret locations to protect them.

It began limited operations in 2018 and returned to normal in early this year, a month after rebel forces deposed Syria's former leader.

All six of nationally recognized sites were harmed or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group destroyed multiple ancient buildings and historical sites at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. The cultural organization condemned the demolition as a atrocity.

Many artefacts were also damaged or looted from historical locations and collections.