A 4-year-old boy accidentally shattered a Bronze Age jar at the Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel, causing concern over the handling and display of ancient artifacts. The jar, which is estimated to be at least 3,500 years old, was on display without protective glass near the museum’s entrance when the incident occurred.
The Hecht Museum, known for its unique approach to displaying Bronze Age artifacts, defended its decision to showcase certain items without protective glass. In a statement emailed to CNN on Wednesday, the museum emphasized that its founder, Reuben Hecht, believed in making artifacts more accessible to the public. “The museum believes there is a special charm in experiencing an archaeological find without any obstructions,” the statement read. Despite the mishap, the museum affirmed that it would continue this tradition.
Incident details
According to the boy’s father, who spoke to the BBC, his son was curious about the jar during their visit last Friday and “pulled the jar slightly,” leading to its fall and breakage. The father expressed shock at seeing his son near the shattered artifact, initially believing, “It wasn’t my child that did it.”
The jar, which dates from between 2200 BC and 1500 BC, predates the reigns of King David and King Solomon and was used for storing and transporting liquids like wine or olive oil. The artifact’s intact discovery made it an “impressive find,” according to the museum, as similar vessels are often found broken or incomplete.
Museum’s response and restoration efforts
Following the incident, the museum’s director, Inbal Rivlin, expressed an understanding approach. Speaking to the Israeli news outlet Ynet, Rivlin invited the boy and his mother back to the museum for a private tour. “The museum is not a mausoleum but a living place, open to families (and) accessible,” she stated. “We are appealing to parents: Don’t be afraid. Things like this happen. We will fix (the jar) and put it back.”
The museum has since added new signs to indicate which items can or cannot be touched to prevent future accidents. A restoration expert has been consulted to repair the broken jar, using photographs to guide the process. The museum reassured the public that the jar would be returned to its display shortly and that this incident would serve as an educational opportunity.
Opened in 1984 on the grounds of the University of Haifa, the Hecht Museum houses archaeological discoveries dating back to the Chalcolithic period (around 4500 BC to 3500 BC). Despite the unfortunate breakage, the museum remains committed to its mission of making history accessible and engaging for all visitors.
The boy’s father, meanwhile, expressed regret over the incident, telling the BBC he was sorry that the jar “will no longer be the same item.”