Israeli museum embraces restoration as educational opportunity After toddler shatters ancient artifact  

According to The Guardian, a unique incident involving a Bronze Age jar at the Hecht Museum in Haifa has captivated both the public and museum staff alike.  

Breaking a priceless museum artifact from thousands of years ago might typically result in a lifetime ban, but that wasn’t the case for a four-year-old who unintentionally shattered a Bronze Age jar at the Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel. The child was invited back to the museum just a week after the mishap.  

"It was just a brief distraction," recounted Anna Geller, a mother of three from Nahariya, Israel. "Suddenly, there was this huge crash behind me."   Anna’s son, Ariel, was exploring the museum’s collection of ancient artifacts when, for a split second, she lost focus. In that moment, a loud crash revealed that a rare 3,500-year-old jar had fallen and shattered, leaving her son standing over the broken pieces, visibly shocked.   The Bronze Age jar that Ariel accidentally broke last week had been part of the Hecht Museum's collection in Haifa for 35 years. This jar, dating back to between 2200 and 1500 BC, was one of the few intact containers of its size and era ever discovered. It was likely used for storing wine or oil.  

The Geller family returned to the museum. Ariel presented the museum with a clay vase of his own, and was met warmly by the staff and curators.   Anna Geller, Ariel's mother, expressed her embarrassment over the incident, recalling her frantic attempt to comfort her son after the jar shattered. “He said he just wanted to see what was inside,” Anna explained.   Inbar Rivlin, the museum’s director, noted that the jar was part of the museum’s open display philosophy, which encourages visitors to engage directly with history.

Rivlin viewed the jar’s restoration as an opportunity for education and to ensure the Geller family felt welcomed back.   Alex Geller, Ariel’s father, was initially in shock upon realizing his son was responsible for the damage. He approached security to inform them, hoping the jar was just a model. He even offered to cover the cost of the damage. However, the museum assured him that the jar was insured and, after reviewing security footage and confirming there was no vandalism, invited the family back for a return visit.  

The jar is currently being restored using 3D technology and high-resolution videos, and may be back on display as soon as next week. Alex mentioned that his older children are particularly interested in the restoration process and the technology involved.   Restoration expert Roee Shafir noted that repairing the jar should be straightforward since it is a single, intact object. He added that while accidental damage is unfortunate, maintaining the accessibility of artifacts can foster a deeper interest in history and archaeology. “I like that people touch. Don’t break, but to touch things, it’s important,” Shafir said.