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Historic artifacts and cultural objects have been removed from Syria's National Museum in the capital, sources confirm.

The burglary was noticed on the start of the week, when museum workers apparently found that an entrance had been forced from the inside.

The half-dozen missing sculptures were made of marble and originated to the Roman period, one official told the media outlet.

The nation's antiquities authority said it had opened an investigation to identify the "events surrounding the theft of a group of exhibits", and that actions had been taken to strengthen security and surveillance.

The chief of internal security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as stating that law enforcement were examining the robbery, which he said had affected several "ancient sculptures and valuable objects".

He noted that guards at the museum and other persons were being interviewed.

The National Museum, which was established in 1919, holds the significant cultural treasures in Syria.

It contains historical records tracing back to the ancient era from Ugarit, where proof of the oldest known linguistic system was discovered; early centuries CE Greco-Roman sculptures from Palmyra, among the foremost cultural centres of the ancient world; and a ancient religious building that was constructed at an ancient location.

The museum was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the outbreak of the devastating civil war. A large portion of the holdings was evacuated and kept at undisclosed sites to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in 2018 and returned to normal in the beginning of the year, one month after insurgents deposed Syria's former leader.

Each of the six of the country's cultural landmarks were damaged or significantly impacted during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group demolished several ancient buildings and other structures at the archaeological site, stating that they were un-Islamic. The cultural organization condemned the demolition as a atrocity.

Numerous historical objects were also lost or looted from dig sites and museums.