- A four-year-old boy accidentally destroyed a 3,500-year-old jar in Israel
- It was on display near the glass-less entrance to the museum.
A child accidentally broke a 3,500-year-old jar during a visit to a museum in Israel.
The jar, which dates back to the Bronze Age between 2,200 and 1,500 BC, had been on display at Haifa’s Hecht Museum for 35 years before the four-year-old boy knocked it over on Friday.
It was on display near the museum’s entrance without glass because museum administrators believe there is a “special charm” in displaying archaeological finds “unobstructed.” according to the BBC.
The boy then ‘took a slight tug on the jar’ because he was ‘curious about what was inside’, causing it to tip over, the boy’s father Alex said.
She added that she was “in shock” when she saw her son next to the broken bottle and at first thought “it wasn’t my son who did this.”
A four-year-old boy accidentally destroyed a 3,500-year-old jar during a visit to the Hecht Museum in Haifa
But instead of punishing the boy, the museum’s director, Dr. Inbal Rivlin, told him: “Do not be afraid, we have no grievance against you.” Sky News reports.
He then invited the boy’s family to return to the exhibition for an organised tour.
“There are cases where exhibits are intentionally damaged and such cases are dealt with very severely, even involving the police,” explained Lihi Laszlo, the museum’s content manager.
“But in this case that was not the case. The bottle was accidentally damaged by a small child visiting the museum, and the response will be accordingly.”
The jar (pictured intact) was on display near the museum’s entrance without glass because museum administrators believe there is a “special charm” in displaying archaeological finds “unobstructed.”
Museum officials say the vessel was likely intended to be used to transport supplies such as wine and olive oil.
It was discovered in Samaria in central Israel and predates the time of the biblical King David and King Solomon, and is characteristic of the Canaan region of the eastern Mediterranean.
Other similar finds are often broken or incomplete when unearthed, making the ancient jar “an impressive find” when it was discovered.
A conservation specialist has now been appointed to restore the jar, and museum officials say it will be returned to its display area “shortly.”
A conservation specialist has been appointed to restore the jar, and museum officials say it will be returned to its display area “shortly.”
The boy’s father said he and his family were “relieved” to hear the jar will be restored, but said they were sorry “because it won’t be the same item anymore.”
Despite the accident, museum officials say they will continue their tradition of displaying items “without barriers or glass walls,” in keeping with the museum founder’s goal of making items as accessible as possible.
However, Dr Rivlin now warns parents that they may need to instruct their children before visiting the museum not to touch exhibits unless explicitly stated that doing so is permitted.