(CNN) — A four-year-old boy accidentally smashed a Bronze Age vessel at an archaeological museum in Haifa, Israel.
The ancient artifact, which experts estimate to be at least 3,500 years old, was on display without a glass case near the entrance to the facility at the time of the incident.
In a statement emailed to CNN on Wednesday, the Hecht Museum defended its decision to display certain objects without protective glass, adding that its founder, Reuben Hecht, placed great importance on making the artifacts accessible to the public.
“The museum is convinced that there is a special appeal in experiencing an archaeological find without any disruption,” the statement said. Despite the incident, the institution will “continue this tradition.”
The child’s father told the BBC that his son “pulled lightly at the jar” during a visit to the museum last Friday because he was “curious about what was inside.” The man added that he was shocked to see his son next to the broken artifact and initially thought: “That wasn’t my child.”
The boy’s parents could not be immediately reached by CNN.
The museum believes the artifact dates from between 2200 and 1500 BC. It predates the reigns of King David and King Solomon, who ruled the Kingdom of Israel and Judah in the 10th century BC, and was likely used to store and transport liquids such as wine or olive oil.
Although archaeologists have discovered similar vessels in the past, most of them were broken or incomplete, according to the museum. The fact that the object on display was discovered intact makes it an “impressive find,” the statement added.
Speaking to Israeli news channel Ynet on Tuesday, museum director Inbal Rivlin invited the boy and his mother, who was also present at the incident, to a private tour of the museum.
“The museum is not a mausoleum, but a living place that is open and accessible to families,” she told the news agency, adding: “We appeal to parents: do not be afraid. These things happen. We will repair (the vessel) and put it back.”
Rivlin said the museum has printed new signs indicating which objects can and cannot be touched.
The Hecht Museum, which opened in 1984 on the grounds of Haifa University, houses archaeological finds from the Chalcolithic period (around 4500 BC to 3500 BC). A restoration expert has been commissioned to restore the broken vessel with the help of photographs, the museum said.
“The vessel will be returned to its place shortly,” the statement continued. The museum will also use the restoration as an opportunity to educate the public.
The boy’s father, meanwhile, told the BBC that he was sorry that the glass “will no longer be the same object.”
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