Boy accidentally smashes 3,500-year-old jar on museum visit

The Hecht Museum said the incident happened a few days ago when the boy, aged about four or five, was visiting the museum.

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

“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.”

A specialist in conservation has also been appointed to restore the jar, and it will be returned to its spot “in a short time”.

The museum told the BBC that “whenever possible, items are displayed without barriers or glass walls”.

And “despite the rare incident with the jar” the museum said it intends to continue this tradition.