The mortified father of a four-year-old boy who accidentally smashed a 3,500-year-old jar in a museum has shed light on the ‘shocking’ aftermath.
Earlier this week, a rare bronze age jar dating back between 2200 and 1500BC was knocked over at the Hecht Museum in Haifa.
The item was one of many displayed without glass protecting, as the museum’s curators believe there is a ‘special charm’ in showing archaeological finds ‘without obstructions’.
The boy’s father, Alex, explained how he ‘pulled the jar slightly’ as he was curious to see what was inside, which caused it to tip and fall.
Describing the aftermath, he told the Guardian: ‘My initial reaction was denial. I couldn’t believe it was my son who did it.
A look at the rare 3,500-year-old jar which was smashed by a four-year-old boy in the Hecht Museum in Haifa
The unobstructed jars, which date back between 2200 and 1500BC, were displayed at the entrance of the museum
‘At first, I was in shock. Then I felt a bit angry with him,’ he explained, before deciding with his wife to own up to a security guard.
‘[But] instead of imposing fines or punishment, they invited us to visit again.’
The museum’s director, Inbal Rivlin, said in a statement: ‘There are instances where display items are intentionally damaged, and such cases are treated with great severity, including involving the police.
‘In this case, however, this was not the situation. The jar was accidentally damaged by a young child visiting the museum, and the response will be accordingly.’
Across the last two days, a conversation specialist has reportedly been working with the museum to repair the jar.
The artefact was restored and put back in place in time to greet the family, Rivlin added.
The museum will also continue showing items without any obstructions.
