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Ancient artifacts and cultural objects have been removed from the National Museum of Syria in Damascus, officials say.

The burglary was found on Monday, when staff apparently found that a doorway had been damaged from the inside.

The multiple taken statues were crafted from marble and originated to the Roman era, one official told the media outlet.

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had opened an investigation to identify the "circumstances surrounding the theft of a collection of artifacts", and that steps had been taken to improve protection and observation methods.

The chief of domestic security in Damascus province, General Osama Atkeh, was referenced by the official media as stating that law enforcement were probing the theft, which he said had targeted several "archaeological statues and rare collectibles".

He noted that security personnel at the institution and other individuals were being interviewed.

The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, houses the primary archaeological collection in Syria.

It contains ancient inscribed tablets dating back to the 14th Century BC from Ugarit, where evidence of the most ancient writing system was found; Greco-Roman period classical statues from Palmyra, among the foremost cultural centres of the classical era; and a 3rd Century AD religious building that was built at an ancient location.

The institution was had to cease operations in the early 2010s, one year after the start of the internal strife. A large portion of the collection was evacuated and stored at secure places to protect them.

It reopened partially in recent years and returned to normal in early this year, one month after rebel forces deposed the Assad regime.

Every one of nationally recognized sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the internal struggle.

The Islamic State group blew up numerous temples and historical sites at the archaeological site, claiming that they were un-Islamic. Unesco denounced the demolition as a violation.

Countless cultural items were also destroyed or stolen from dig sites and collections.