In Tel Aviv, a unique Bronze Age jar, which was accidentally shattered by a 4-year-old at a museum, has been successfully restored and is now back on display. The incident occurred when a family from northern Israel was visiting the Hecht Museum in Haifa, and their youngest child knocked over the ancient jar, causing it to break into pieces. The child’s father, Alex Geller, described his son as very curious, and his initial reaction to the crash was concern for his child’s well-being.

The jar, which had been on exhibit at the Hecht Museum for 35 years, is a rare artifact from the Bronze Era, dating back to between 2200 and 1500 B.C. It was used for storing wine or oil and was one of the few containers of its size and era to remain intact since its discovery. The museum’s director, Inbal Rivlin, shared that the museum prefers to have artifacts displayed openly, allowing visitors to engage with history without barriers.

In an effort to turn the accident into a learning opportunity, the Geller family was invited back to the museum for a special visit to witness the restoration process first-hand. Rivlin highlighted that amidst the conflict in Gaza, the incident involving the child resonated with people in Israel and worldwide, as it reminded them of the innocence of childhood.

Roee Shafir, a restoration expert at the museum, described the repair process as relatively straightforward since the jar fragments belonged to a single object. Using advanced technology like 3D imaging, high-resolution videos, and specialized glue, experts meticulously reconstructed the large jar. Despite some hairline cracks and missing pieces, the jar was successfully put back together and returned to its exhibition within two weeks. The only noticeable change in the display is a new sign cautioning visitors not to touch the artifacts.