After 4-year-old accidentally smashes ancient jar, museum invites him back.

A 4-year-old accidentally knocked over and shattered a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar during a visit to the Hecht Museum at the University of Haifa in Israel on Friday.

A 4-year-old accidentally knocked over and shattered a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar during a visit to the Hecht Museum at the University of Haifa in Israel on Friday.

The museum said the artifact, which is dated from 2200 to 1500 B.C.E., was designed to store and transport goods, such as olive oil and wine, and was characteristic of the ancient Canaan region. The jar, the museum said in a statement, predated the Biblical kings Solomon and David.  

Though similar jars have been discovered in archaeological excavations, many are found in pieces or incomplete, making this jar rare for having been unearthed intact, and for its size.

The child’s father, who was identified only by his first name, Alex, told the BBC that his son was “curious about what was inside” and “pulled the jar slightly,” which tipped it from its stand, shattering it  into pieces. Alex added that he was “in shock” and initially believed that his son hadn’t broken the jar.

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

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ancient-bronze-age-jar-child-broken-haifa-israel-rcna168561

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