close
close

Rare Bronze Age vase smashed by five-year-old boy in Israeli museum | Offbeat News

Posted on by Vaseline
Rare Bronze Age vase smashed by five-year-old boy in Israeli museum | Offbeat News

A five-year-old boy accidentally broke an ancient urn from the late Bronze Age in a museum in Israel.

The artifact was on display at the Hecht Museum at the University of Haifa when the damage occurred on Friday.

But the reaction of the museum’s director, Dr. Inbal Rivlin, may surprise some people.

She addressed the boy and his mother directly, inviting them to return for a tour. She added, “Don’t be afraid, we have no claim on you.”

The pair were said to have been ‘scared’ when the pot was damaged at the entrance to the museum and then quickly left.

X

This content is provided by Xthat may use cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your consent to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to adjust your preferences to X cookies or to allow those cookies only once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.

Unfortunately, we were unable to verify whether you have given permission X cookies. To view this content, please use the button below to X cookies for this session only.

Allow cookies Allow cookies once

The archaeological discovery was made during excavations in Samaria, in the center of Israeland has been on display in the museum for 35 years.

It dates from between 1130 and 1500 BC.

The museum described the pot as rare and an “impressive find,” as most other pots from the period were found broken or incomplete.

A statement said: “It dates back to before the time of David and King Solomon, is typical of the Canaan region and was intended for the storage and transport of local consumption, mainly wine and olive oil.”

A 5-year-old boy accidentally broke a 3,500-year-old jar at the Hecht Museum at the University of Haifa. Credit: Hecht Museum
Image:
The pot (far right) before it was damaged. Photo: Hecht Museum

Dr. Rivlin explained that the pot was not behind a display case because of the vision of the museum’s founder, Dr. Reuven Hecht.

His aim was to make archaeological finds as accessible as possible to visitors.

A 5-year-old boy accidentally broke a 3,500-year-old jar at the Hecht Museum at the University of Haifa. Credit: Hecht Museum
Image:
An expert now has the task of putting the pieces back together. Photo: Hecht Museum

According to the museum, artifacts are rarely damaged, but this pot is being repaired and put back on display.

Read more:
4,000-year-old artifacts discovered in Cardiff park
Rare tomb discovered during excavation in Orkney
Experts reconstruct face of 75,000-year-old Neanderthal

Dr. Rivlin also warned parents that they may need to supervise their children before visiting. Therefore, exhibits should not be touched unless explicitly stated that this is permitted.

The museum, which is free to enter and located on the grounds of the University of Haifa, houses numerous archaeological exhibits from the Chalcolithic through the Byzantine periods.

Related Posts