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Historic sculptures and other artefacts have been stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus, officials say.

The theft was discovered on Monday, when museum workers apparently found that one of the museum's doors had been damaged from the inside.

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

Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums said it had initiated an inquiry to determine the "events surrounding the disappearance of a group of items", and that measures had been enacted to improve safeguarding and observation methods.

The head of domestic security in the capital area, Security Chief Atkeh, was referenced by the government press as saying that law enforcement were examining the theft, which he said had affected several "historical artifacts and valuable objects".

He noted that guards at the museum and other individuals were being interrogated.

The Damascus Museum, which was created in 1919, holds the primary historical artifacts in Syria.

It contains historical records tracing back to the 14th Century BC from an ancient city, where evidence of the earliest linguistic system was uncovered; Greco-Roman period ancient art from the ancient city, a significant ancient sites of the classical era; and a ancient religious building that was established at Dura Europos.

The institution was forced to close in 2012, a year after the outbreak of the internal strife. Most of the holdings was transferred and preserved at secure places to ensure their safety.

It partially resumed in recent years and resumed full operations in early this year, a month after rebel forces removed the Assad regime.

Every one of Syria's Unesco World Heritage sites were damaged or partially destroyed during the civil war.

The militant faction blew up multiple temples and additional edifices at Palmyra, claiming that they were idolatrous. Unesco condemned the damage as a atrocity.

Many artefacts were also lost or taken from historical locations and museums.