The father of a four-year-old boy who accidentally broke a 3,500-year-old pot in a museum has spoken out about the “shocking” aftermath.
Earlier this week, a rare Bronze Age vase dating from between 2200 and 1500 BC was overturned at the Hecht Museum in Haifa.
The item was one of many exhibited without glass protection, as the museum’s curators believe there is a “special charm” to displaying archaeological finds “without obstacles.”
The boy’s father, Alex, explained that out of curiosity he “took a light pull on the pot,” causing it to tip and fall.
He described the aftermath and told the Guardian: ‘My first reaction was denial. I couldn’t believe it was my son who did it.
A look at the rare 3,500-year-old pot smashed by a four-year-old boy at the Hecht Museum in Haifa
The unmolested pots, dating from between 2200 and 1500 BC, were displayed at the entrance to the museum
“At first I was in shock. Then I felt a little angry at him,” he explained, before deciding with his wife to tell a security guard.
‘[But] Instead of imposing fines or punishments on us, they invited us to come back again.’
The museum’s director, Inbal Rivlin, said in a statement: “There are known cases of deliberate damage to exhibits. Such cases are dealt with very severely, even involving the police.
‘However, in this case that was not the case. The pot was accidentally damaged by a young child visiting the museum, and the response will be accordingly.’
According to reports, a conversation specialist has been working with the museum over the past two days to repair the pot.
The artifact was restored and returned in time to greet the family, Rivlin added.
The museum will also continue to exhibit the pieces without any restrictions.