4-year-old accidentally shatters Bronze Age jar at museum

Oscar Holland, CNN

(CNN) — A 4-year-old boy accidentally smashed a Bronze Age jar astatine an archeological depository successful Haifa, Israel.

The ancient artifact, which experts opportunity was astatine slightest 3,500 years old, was connected show without a solid lawsuit adjacent nan institution’s entranceway astatine nan clip of nan incident.

In a connection emailed to CNN connected Wednesday, nan Hecht Museum defended its determination to coming definite objects without protective glass, adding that its laminitis Reuben Hecht had emphasized making artifacts accessible to nan public.

“The depository believes location is simply a typical charm successful experiencing an archaeological find without immoderate obstructions,” nan connection said, adding that nan institution would “continue this tradition” contempt nan incident.

Speaking to nan BBC, nan child’s begetter said his boy had “pulled nan jar slightly” connected a sojourn to nan depository past Friday because he was “curious astir what was inside.” The man added that he was shocked to spot his boy beside nan surgery artifact and had initially thought, “It wasn’t my kid that did it.”

The boy’s parents could not beryllium instantly reached by CNN.

The depository believes nan artifact dates from betwixt 2200 BC and 1500 BC. Predating nan reigns of King David and King Solomon, who ruled nan kingdom of ancient Israel and Judah successful nan 10th period BC, it would person been utilized for storing and transporting liquids for illustration vino aliases oliva oil.

While archaeologists person uncovered akin vessels successful nan past, astir of them were surgery aliases incomplete, according to nan museum. The truth nan displayed point was discovered intact made it an “impressive find,” nan connection added.

Speaking to Israeli news outlet Ynet Tuesday, nan museum’s caput Inbal Rivlin invited nan boy and his mother, who was besides coming during nan incident, backmost to nan depository for a backstage tour.

“The depository is not a mausoleum but a surviving place, unfastened to families (and) accessible,” she told nan news outlet, adding: “We are appealing to parents: Don’t beryllium afraid. Things for illustration this happen. We will hole (the jar) and put it back.”

Rivlin said nan depository had printed caller signs indicating which items can, aliases cannot, beryllium touched.

Opened connected nan grounds of nan University of Haifa successful 1984, nan Hecht Museum contains archeological discoveries making love backmost to nan Chalcolithic play (around 4500 BC to 3500 BC). A restoration master has been approached to reconstruct nan surgery jar pinch nan thief of photographs, nan depository said.

“The jar will beryllium returned to its spot successful a short time,” nan connection continued, adding that nan depository would usage nan restoration arsenic an opportunity to amended nan public.

The boy’s begetter meantime told nan BBC he was sorry that nan jar “will nary longer beryllium nan aforesaid item.”