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• Picture it: a curious young boy at a museum. An ancient artifact unprotected by glass. Bet you can’t guess what happened next.
Reports CNN: A 4-year-old boy visited the Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel, with his parents.
According to the child’s father, the boy noticed a large ceramic container and “pulled the jar slightly,” wanting to see what was inside -- accidentally smashing the 3,500-year-old relic in the process.
Museum officials were unfazed: “We are appealing to parents: Don’t be afraid. Things like this happen,” said museum head Inbal Rivin.
“We will fix (the jar) and put it back.”
The Hecht Museum displays some items without protective cases, a nod to founder Reuben Hecht’s belief in allowing the public to experience archaeological finds with as few barriers as possible.
The jar dates to between 2200 and 1500 Before the Common Era, and was likely used for storing and transporting liquid goods such as wine or oil.
Finding an intact vessel was something of a rarity, and restoration efforts are already underway. [CNN, 8/28/2024]