During a visit to the Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel, 4-year-old Ariel Geller accidentally broke a rare 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar. The jar, which had been on display for 35 years, was one of the few containers of its size and era still intact when it was discovered. It was likely used to store wine or oil, dating back to between 2200 and 1500 B.C.
Despite the initial shock and embarrassment, Ariel’s family returned to the museum, where he gifted a clay vase as a gesture of goodwill. The museum staff and curators were forgiving, turning the incident into a learning experience.
Director of the museum, Inbar Rivlin, saw the opportunity to educate visitors about history and archaeology through the restoration process. The Geller family, who had been visiting museums to escape tensions near Israel’s border with Lebanon, felt welcomed back to the museum.
Experts were using advanced technology to restore the broken jar, with hopes of having it back on display soon. The process of restoration fascinated Ariel’s older siblings, showing them the intricate work involved in preserving ancient artifacts.
Despite the mishap, the museum’s restoration expert, Roee Shafir, emphasized the importance of allowing the public to interact with artifacts, as touching them can spark a deeper interest in history and archaeology.
Accidents happen, but the value of hands-on experience with historical objects remains significant.
By Alexis Triboulard and Julia Frankel
