LITTLE BOY WHO BROKE ANCIENT VASE GETS INVITED TO SEE IT GET RESTORED
Museums are well-known for their almost universal "no touching" policy. Many institutions have experimented with putting specific artefacts and works of art out in the open, without glass separating the viewer and the subject, in an attempt to make exhibits more approachable. This can make history and the arts seem more approachable. The Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel, is one museum that achieved this.
A 4-year-old boy unintentionally broke a 3,500-year-old Bronze Age jar while visiting the museum with his family, in a fascinating example of youth and curiosity colliding. However, the museum invited the boy and his family back to continue their experience and learn more in the true spirit of learning, choosing not to become upset.
The aforementioned vase was made sometime between 2200 and 1500 BCE. It was rare because it was in startlingly complete condition. With a smaller neck and two handles, the jar resembles Roman amphorae and was once used for oil or wine, two ancient necessities. It was arranged on a display stand without a glass barrier, next to a few other pieces. There was no simple way for a four-year-old to see inside. Thus, young Ariel Geller attempted to look in with the inquisitiveness and reason of a small child.
Ariel was visiting the museum as part of a family outing with his parents. His mother told CNN that she heard a crash while turning her back for a split second. Turning around, she saw her small son standing over the shattered pieces of the earthen relic. Anna Geller said, "I'm embarrassed." "He said to me that all he wanted to do was peek inside."
After being permitted to go back to the museum, Ariel fixed one of his jars. He even brought a clay vase that he wanted to give the museum. The family was then informed of the vase's restoration procedure.
Ariel's father, Alex Geller, told CNN that his older children find the process of how they're restoring it and all the technology they're using there to be very fascinating. The museum's choice to foster a child's curiosity throughout the visit, even though "no touching" is still the standard, is consistent with a long-standing practice of removing glass walls to bring the public closer to history.