Boy accidentally shatters 3,500-year-old jar during museum visit

A four-year-old boy accidentally shattered a 3,500-year-old jar during a tour with his family in a museum in Israel.

The Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel, indicated that the jar or crockery was dated roughly between 2200 and 1500 BC.

The boy's father, Alex, said in an interview that his son was curious about what was inside the jar, causing him to pull the jar slightly. However, the force of the pull was enough to make the jar fall and get smashed into pieces.

"[I was] in shock," Alex said. My first thought was, "It wasn't my child that did it."

The Hecht Museum clarified that the artifact was not enclosed in glass for the belief that it should be enjoyed by the visitors "without obstructions."

"There are instances where display items are intentionally damaged, and such cases are treated with great severity, including involving the police," said Lihi Laszlo from the museum.

"In this case, however, this was not the situation. The jar was accidentally damaged by a young child visiting the museum, and the response will be accordingly," Laszlo added.

In addition, the museum said that the jar was used to carry goods such as olive oil and wine in the Canaan region that predated King Solomon and King David.

Meanwhile, the Hecht Museum said that the smashed jar is scheduled to be displayed soon once it is restored and to show that there is no issue with it. The museum already invited the boy and his family back for a well-organized tour.