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When Little Boy Smashes 3,500-Year-Old Artifact, Museum Has Unexpected Response

Close up of a large jar that was smashed into pieces at a museum

Exploring museums with centuries old artifacts can be tons of fun — but it can also be dangerous. That’s something a family recently learned after a visit to the Hecht Museum, located at the University of Haifa in Israel. Here, many of the artifacts on display are not sealed behind glass. So, when a little boy gets curious about some jars he spots, he decides to get a closer look. As a result, the boy accidentally smashes one of the jars!

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These jars date back to the Middle Bronze Age. That makes them at least 3,500 years old, according to the museum. It’s believed they were used as a way to store and transport supplies like wine and olive oil. Although they’re empty now, the 4-year-old boy’s curiosity came from wanting to know what was inside. Needless to say, both the boy and his dad were shocked by what happened.

Four jars, each centuries old, on display at a museum
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It was clear that the 4-year-old, who “pulled the jar slightly,” did not intend to break it. This is something his dad, Alex, made clear when alerting museum staff about what had happened. There’s no doubt that this moment was stressful — Alex had no idea how the museum would respond. But the actions they chose to take certainly surprised Dad… in the best way possible.

When a Little Boy Smashes a Centuries-Old Jar, His Dad Is Left Speechless Over the Museum’s Response

Rather than getting the police involved, the museum made it clear they weren’t going to hold this accident against the kid or Alex. They even shared that this incident won’t deter them from keeping artifacts out in the open, noting that the founder believed “that there is a special charm in experiencing an archaeological find without any obstructions.”

Plus, thanks to skilled experts, the jar is expected to be restored soon and will be returned to the same spot. Best of all, they’re inviting Alex and his son back for another visit once the jar is back, explaining that offering them another tour will “sweeten together the previous experience at the museum.” How cool is that!?

You can find the source of this story’s featured image here!

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