Photo: Hecht Museum
A museum in Israel is working to repair and restore a 3,500-year-old pitcher that was smashed by a young child. Officials at the Hecht Museum said that a five-year-old boy accidentally knocked over the large jar, which was on display near the entrance to the museum.
The pitcher dates back to the Middle Bronze Age and was used to store wine and olive oil. While most pitchers and jars from that era are incomplete, this jar was a rare find because it was intact.
Officials with the museum said they are working to fix the shattered pitcher and will document the process as part of a future exhibit.
"Because there is photographic documentation of the pitcher and in light of the introduction to the shape of the pitcher, in a short time the pitcher will return to its place. The Hecht F Museum will take the opportunity to document the healing work, so that it can also be presented to the public," the museum wrote on Facebook.
The boy's father told the BBC he was "in shock" when he saw his son standing near the shattered pitcher and thought, "It wasn't my child that did it."
However, once he realized his son had knocked the pitcher over, he explained that it was just an accident, and his son was curious about what was inside.
Because it was an accident, the museum said it would not be pressing charges against the boy or his father.
"There are instances where display items are intentionally damaged, and such cases are treated with great severity, including involving the police," said Lihi Laszlo, a spokesperson for the University of Haifa.
"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."