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

The theft was discovered on the start of the week, when staff allegedly found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.

The six taken pieces were crafted from marble and dated back to the ancient Roman times, a source stated to the media outlet.

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

The chief of national security in the Damascus region, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that law enforcement were examining the incident, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".

He added that security personnel at the museum and additional people were being questioned.

The National Museum, which was founded in the early twentieth century, houses the significant historical artifacts in the country.

It features historical records tracing back to the Bronze Age from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest writing system was found; early centuries CE ancient art from Palmyra, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a third century Jewish temple that was established at Dura Europos.

The institution was compelled to shut in 2012, one year after the beginning of the devastating civil war. The majority of the holdings was transferred and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in 2018 and returned to normal in early this year, a month after rebel forces deposed President Bashar al-Assad.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or partly ruined during the conflict.

The militant faction destroyed multiple temples and other structures at Palmyra, asserting that they were idolatrous. Unesco censured the damage as a violation.

Many historical objects were also lost or taken from archaeological sites and museums.