In a stunning blow to Syria’s cultural heritage, thieves have stolen six ancient gold bars from the National Museum of Damascus, authorities and sources told AFP, leaving the nation’s archaeological community reeling and investigators scrambling for answers. The burglary, which occurred overnight from Sunday, November 10, to Monday, November 11, 2025, has prompted the closure of the museum and a sweeping investigation that has so far yielded more questions than answers.
According to museum officials and security sources cited by AFP, the thieves specifically targeted the museum’s “classical” wing. This section is renowned for its collection of Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine treasures—artefacts that have survived not only the passage of millennia but also the ravages of Syria’s recent civil war. “Six pieces were stolen from the classical section,” a source close to the museum’s management told AFP. “They were gold bars, though the exact historical period has not yet been determined.” Another security source confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details, underscoring the sensitivity and gravity of the situation.
The National Museum of Damascus, an institution that has miraculously escaped major damage during Syria’s devastating civil war from 2011 to 2024, is home to tens of thousands of artefacts. These range from prehistoric tools to Greco-Roman sculptures and Islamic art, making it a central repository for the nation’s rich and diverse history. During the war, many artefacts from across the country were brought to the museum for safekeeping, as numerous archaeological sites were bombed, museums looted, and priceless items trafficked for millions of dollars on the black market.
The theft has cast a shadow over what had been a period of cautious optimism for the museum. Following fears of looting, the institution had previously shut its doors just before the deposition of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad by an Islamist coalition in December 2024. It reopened in January 2025, signaling a tentative return to normalcy and cultural preservation in the wake of years of conflict. The recent burglary, however, has reignited concerns about the safety of Syria’s national treasures and the ongoing threat posed by criminal networks seeking to profit from the chaos of war and its aftermath.
Authorities have responded swiftly, if somewhat opaquely, to the incident. The museum was immediately closed “for security reasons,” with officials stating it will reopen the week of November 12, 2025. When contacted by AFP, museum officials declined to comment further, with one unnamed official stating only: “The museum is closed for security reasons and will reopen next week.” Syrian authorities have yet to publicly confirm the theft, but the silence speaks volumes about the seriousness of the breach.
In the wake of the burglary, several museum employees and guards were detained and questioned by security forces. According to a security source cited by AFP, these individuals were “subjected to interrogation before being released.” A senior official from the Directorate of Syrian Museums, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that staff have been barred from entering the exhibit halls since the incident, as investigations continue. The move has left museum employees in a state of limbo, unable to access their workplace or assess the extent of the loss firsthand.
The mood outside the museum has been described as calm, with AFP journalists reporting no outward signs of turmoil during a visit on Tuesday—a day when the museum is normally closed. However, the tranquility belies the turmoil unfolding behind closed doors, as investigators work to piece together how the thieves managed to breach the museum’s defenses and make off with such valuable items. Access to the museum’s interior remains strictly prohibited, and the public is left to wonder about the fate of the stolen treasures.
The loss of the six gold bars is particularly painful given their location within the classical wing, one of the museum’s most important and cherished sections. The artefacts in this wing represent the confluence of civilizations that have shaped Syria’s identity over thousands of years. While officials have not yet determined the exact historical period of the stolen gold bars, their association with the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine eras underscores their value—not just in monetary terms, but as irreplaceable links to the past. As one source close to the museum’s management put it, “They were gold bars, though the exact historical period has not yet been determined.”
The theft is a stark reminder of the challenges facing Syria’s cultural institutions in the aftermath of prolonged conflict. During the war, the National Museum of Damascus served as a sanctuary for artefacts from across the country, many of which were at risk of destruction or theft. The museum’s survival, and the protection of its collections, was seen as a rare bright spot amid widespread devastation. Now, with the latest burglary, even this bastion of preservation has been breached.
Experts warn that the stolen gold bars could quickly disappear into the vast and shadowy networks of antiquities traffickers that have flourished in the region. The looting of archaeological sites and museums during the civil war generated millions of dollars for such networks, fueling both criminal enterprises and, at times, extremist groups. The lack of specific information about the age and provenance of the stolen items complicates efforts to track them on the international market, where documentation and provenance are often key to recovery.
For now, the investigation continues, with authorities tight-lipped about their progress. The detention and questioning of museum staff and guards suggest that officials are leaving no stone unturned in their search for answers. However, the lack of public statements and the continued closure of the museum have fueled speculation and concern among the public and the international heritage community alike.
The theft at the National Museum of Damascus is more than just a criminal act—it is a blow to Syria’s ongoing efforts to reclaim and protect its cultural legacy in the wake of war. As the investigation unfolds, many are left hoping that the stolen gold bars will be recovered and that the lessons learned will help safeguard the nation’s treasures for generations to come.
