Preschooler Accidentally Damages Ancient Artifact at Israeli Museum but Receives Forgiveness and Invitation to Return

In Haifa, Israel, a 4-year-old boy accidentally broke a rare 3,500-year-old jar at an Israeli museum. The boy’s father, Alex Geller, shared that his son is very curious and the incident caught them off guard as they were exploring the museum. The jar was part of the Hecht Museum’s collection, displayed openly to allow visitors a more interactive experience with history.

Despite the mishap, the museum’s director, Inbar Rivlin, sees an opportunity to educate visitors about the importance of preserving artifacts and plans to welcome the family back for a special visit. The family, residing near the Lebanon border, had been enjoying museum trips to escape tensions from nearby conflicts.

Following the accident, security guards reassured the family that the jar was insured, and they were invited back for a follow-up visit. The restoration process will involve using 3D technology and high-resolution videos to piece the jar back together. The jar, originally used for storing wine or oil and dating back to 2200-1500 B.C., had been on display for over three decades.

Roee Shafir, a restoration expert at the museum, mentioned that the reassembly process will be documented for educational purposes and may take several days due to the meticulous nature of connecting the pieces using special glue. Despite the accident, Shafir believes in allowing visitors to have a tactile experience with artifacts to spark interest in archaeology and history.

Geller shared that his son, though too young to contemplate a career in archaeology, is excited to revisit the museum as a special guest and will start nursery school in September. The community in Nahariya, proud of their young celebrity, is following the story closely and is eager to see the restored jar back on display.