Boy Accidentally Breaks 3,500-Year-Old Jar During Museum Visit

 

 

A 3,500-year-old jar was accidentally shattered into pieces by a four-year-old boy during a visit to a museum in Israel.

The Hecht Museum in Haifa told the BBC that the pottery dates back to the Bronze Age, between 2200 and 1500 BC, and that it is a rare find because it has remained intact.

It was displayed near the museum entrance, without glass, as the museum believes there is a “special charm” in displaying archaeological finds “without obstacles.”

The boy’s father, Alex, said his son “tugged on the jar a little” because he was “curious about what was in it,” causing it to fall.

Alex also said he was “in shock” when he saw his son next to the broken jar and initially thought “my son didn’t do that.”

However, after calming the boy down, Alex spoke to the security guard.

The Hecht Museum said the boy was invited back to the exhibition with his family for a guided tour organized after the incident occurred a few days ago.

“There are cases where exhibits are intentionally damaged and such cases are treated with great severity, even involving the police,” the museum’s Lihi Laszlo told the BBC.

“In this case, however, that was not the case. The jar was accidentally damaged by a child visiting the museum and the response will be accordingly.”

A conservation specialist has also been appointed to restore the jar, which will be returned to its place “shortly.”

The boy’s father, Alex, said they will be “relieved” to see the jar restored, but added they are “sad” because “it will never be the same object again.”

The museum told the BBC that “wherever possible, objects are displayed without barriers or glass walls.”

And “despite the rare incident,” the museum said it intends to continue the tradition.

Most likely the jar was originally intended to transport local supplies, such as wine and olive oil.

It predates the time of the biblical kings David and Solomon and is typical of the region of Canaan, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean.
Similar ceramic objects found during archaeological excavations are usually broken or incomplete when unearthed, making this intact vessel “an impressive discovery” when found, the museum added.

The Hecht Museum is located in the University of Haifa complex in northern Israel and houses archaeological and artistic artifacts.

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