Thieves steal ancient gold from Syria's national museum

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
Today 15:03

Ancient gold artifacts were stolen from Syria's national museum in Damascus, with the theft being the latest cultural heritage crime targeting the war-torn country’s historical collections.

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Visitors tour the antiquities museum in the Syrian capital Damascus on October 28, 2018. (Louai Beshara / AFP)

Several ancient gold artifacts have been stolen from the Syrian National Museum in Damascus, sources confirmed to AFP on Tuesday, in what appears to be a targeted cultural heritage crime against one of the country’s most significant historical institutions.

The theft occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday, with six gold items reportedly taken from the museum’s classical wing, a section that houses artifacts from the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras. Sources close to the museum and Syria’s internal security separately confirmed the details to AFP.

While the exact age and origin of the gold artifacts were not disclosed, one official familiar with the museum’s operations described them as “ingots” of significant value.

Museum staff detained, security tightened after theft

The museum, which had reopened in January following Syria’s long-running war, is now closed again for what officials called “security reasons.” A museum manager declined to comment but confirmed that the institution is expected to reopen next week.

Following the incident, several staff members and security guards were detained for questioning, according to a security source. All were later released, but restrictions remain in place, with exhibition halls reportedly off-limits even to employees.

The museum was historically spared from large-scale damage during the war, serving as a refuge for artefacts transported from across the country for safekeeping.

Cultural institutions remain vulnerable post-conflict

The Syrian National Museum’s collection spans the breadth of the country's rich history, from prehistoric tools to Greco-Roman sculpture and Islamic art. As a result, the facility has long been viewed as a symbol of Syria’s cultural endurance amid decades of conflict.

However, the latest theft highlights the continued vulnerability of such institutions. The civil war, which ended last year, saw countless archaeological sites bombed, looted, or trafficked. Artifacts stolen during the conflict generated millions of dollars for smuggling networks and international dealers of looted antiquities.

This most recent theft raises serious concerns about the country’s ability to protect its remaining heritage, particularly as foreign-backed groups and profiteers have exploited the post-war vacuum to pillage cultural sites.

Looters previously set eyes on Palmyra to dig up artifacts and sell online, and The Guardian previously wrote that antiquities theft in Syria surged dramatically since the HTS takeover.

Syria’s looted antiquities: a legacy of war and trafficking

The national museum had closed its doors in late 2023 due to growing concerns about looting, shortly before the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Its reopening in early 2025 was hailed as a symbolic return to normalcy for Syria’s cultural sector.

Yet the resurgence of such crimes underscores the risks facing Syria’s historical legacy. As of now, no official statement has been issued by Syrian authorities regarding the theft.