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Historic artifacts and other artefacts have been stolen from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, authorities report.

The robbery was found on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that an entrance had been forced from the interior.

The half-dozen stolen statues were crafted from marble and originated to the ancient Roman times, one official told the Associated Press.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to identify the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been enacted to improve safeguarding and surveillance.

The chief of internal security in the Damascus region, General Osama Atkeh, was cited by the government press as declaring that security forces were probing the theft, which he said had affected several "archaeological statues and valuable objects".

He noted that guards at the institution and additional people were being interviewed.

The cultural institution, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the significant cultural treasures in the country.

It includes clay cuneiform tablets tracing back to the Bronze Age from historical site, where proof of the oldest known complete alphabet was discovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from Palmyra, one of the most important ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient religious building that was built at Dura Europos.

The museum was forced to close in 2012, one year after the outbreak of the destructive conflict. Most of the artifacts was transferred and stored at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It began limited operations in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, one month after insurgents deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

Every one of the country's cultural landmarks were affected or partially destroyed during the conflict.

The IS organization demolished multiple religious structures and other structures at the ancient city, stating that they were against their beliefs. International authorities censured the demolition as a violation.

Many artefacts were also destroyed or taken from archaeological sites and collections.