A four-year-old boy who accidentally shattered a rare 3,500-year-old jar at Israel's Hecht Museum returned to see the ancient artifact being carefully restored.
The incident occurred at the University of Haifa's museum, where the Bronze Age jar, dating back as far as 2,200 BC, had been on display for 35 years. The jar, which was left unprotected on a plinth, was accidentally knocked over by the curious youngster during a family visit.
The jar was completely destroyed (Image: Hecht Museum)
Museum officials quickly reassured the boy's family that no one was at fault. In fact, they saw the situation as an educational opportunity. Inbar Rivlin, the museum's director, invited the boy and his family back to observe the intricate restoration process, emphasizing the value of learning from the experience.
Archaeologists are now meticulously piecing the jar back together using specialized adhesive, a process that will take several days and will be documented for educational purposes.
The boy's father, Alex Geller, recounted the moment his son, driven by curiosity, pulled on the jar, causing it to fall. Geller initially feared the worst when he heard the crash, but was relieved when the museum confirmed the incident was accidental and covered by insurance.
Museum representative Lihi Laszlo noted that while some cases of damage require police involvement, this incident was clearly an accident. The family was invited back to the museum, where the boy could learn about the artifact's restoration and the importance of preserving history.
Despite the mishap, the museum plans to continue its practice of displaying artifacts without protective glass, maintaining that there is a special charm in allowing visitors to experience history up close, even with the risks involved.
