Four-year-old boy accidentally shatters rare Bronze Age jar during museum visit

A four-year-old boy accidentally knockeddown a 3,500-year-old jar kept in a museum in Israel. The jar dates back to the Bronze Age between 2,200 and 1,500 BC and has been displayed at the Hecht Museum in Haifa for the last 35 years.

According to BBC, the antique piece was a rare artefact because it was discovered intact, unlike other items which are often broken when found. The jar was kept near the entrance without glass as the museum believes displaying archaeological finds in an accessible way has a "special charm".

Alex, the boy's father said that his son was "curious about what was inside" the artefact and "pulled the jar slightly", knocking it over. Alex was "in shock" to see his son next to the shattered jar. His first thought was "It wasn't my child that did it".

He talked with the security person after calming down his son, Alex told the BBC.

According to a Sky News report, the child was not punished and the museum Director Dr. Inbal Rivlin told Alex "Don't be afraid, we have no claim against you."

"There are instances where display items are intentionally damaged, and such cases are treated with great severity, including involving the police," Lihi Laszlo from the museum told the BBC.

"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."

The Hecht Museum has invited the family back for an organised exhibition tour a few days after the incident.

A specialist has been appointed by the museum to restore the jar. While Alex said they were "relieved" but "sorry" as "it will no longer be the same item".

Despite this unusual incident, the museum has said they will continue to display the items "without barriers or glass walls" to keep up their tradition.

According to the museum, the jar was most likely used for carrying supplies like olive oil and wine and predates the period of the Biblical King David and King Solomon. It is a distinctive discovery from the Canaan region on the eastern Mediterranean coast and "an impressive find" as it was unearthed in an intact state.

The Hecht Museum collects archaeological and art items and is located on the campus of the University of Haifa in northern Israel.

(With inputs from agencies)