The mortified father of a four-year-old boy who accidentally broke a 3,500-year-old jar in a museum has shed light on the ‘shocking’ consequences of the incident.
Earlier this week, a rare Bronze Age vase dating to between 2200 and 1500 BC was found at the Hecht Museum in Haifa.
The object was one of many on display without glass protection, as museum curators believe there is a “special charm” in displaying archaeological finds “unobstructed.”
The boy’s father, Alex, explained how he “took a slight tug on the jar” because he was curious to see what was inside, causing it to tip over and fall.
Describing the aftermath, he told the GuardianMy initial reaction was denial. I couldn’t believe it was my son who did it.
A look at the rare 3,500-year-old vase that was smashed by a four-year-old boy at Haifa’s Hecht Museum
The intact jars, dating from between 2200 and 1500 BC, were displayed at the entrance to the museum.
“At first I was in shock. Then I got a little angry with him,” he explained, before deciding, together with his wife, to confess the crime to a security guard.
‘But instead of imposing fines or punishments on us, they invited us to visit again.’
Museum director Inbal Rivlin said in a statement: ‘There are cases where exhibits are intentionally damaged and such cases are dealt with very severely, including involving the police.
“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.”
A conversation specialist has reportedly been working with the museum for the past two days to repair the jar.
The artifact was restored and put back in place in time to greet the family, Rivlin added.
The museum will also continue to exhibit pieces without any obstacles.
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