A 4-year-old boy accidentally smashed a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar on display at the Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel. The artifact, which was presented without a protective glass case, was located near the museum’s entrance. The museum defended its decision to display certain items without glass, citing founder Reuben Hecht’s vision of making artifacts accessible to the public and the unique experience of viewing archaeological finds unobstructed.
The boy’s father explained that his son had been curious about the jar’s contents and pulled it slightly, leading to the accident. He expressed shock upon seeing the broken jar and initially could not believe his child was responsible.
The jar, pictured right, prior to the accident. /Hecht Museum staff
The Hecht Museum, which houses archaeological finds dating back to the Chalcolithic period, stated that the jar, used for storing liquids like wine or olive oil, would be restored with the help of photographs. The museum invited the boy and his mother back for a private tour, emphasizing that the museum is a living, family-friendly space. Despite the incident, the museum plans to continue its tradition of accessible displays and will educate the public on the restoration process.
“The jar will be returned to its place in a short time,” the museum said, acknowledging that while the jar may never be the same, the situation highlights the importance of preserving history for future generations.
