If you have or have ever had a toddler or preschooler, you know how destructive they can be. It’s not malice; they’re just still very uncoordinated and have a desperate need to explore and touch everything.
So yes, if you leave your tablet out, it’s getting thrown down the stairs, and if there are pretty glass figurines on your shelves, you’ll probably want to move them up a shelf or two. Nothing, though, compares to the horror when they break something that doesn’t belong to you, especially something that’s incredibly expensive and irreplaceable.
Imagine the horror of being the parent whose son broke an artifact on display in a museum.
The Artifact Was A 3,500-Year-Old Jug In Pristine Condition
The jug was on display at the Hecht Museum in Haifa, Israel, where the staff believes that objects should be out in the room with patrons, rather than behind glass, as often as possible. The BBC is reporting that it was dated as coming from the Bronze Age, between 2200 and 1500BC.
Worse, the artifact was deemed particularly rare and precious because it was unusually intact when found!
Though archeologists can sometimes repair or reassemble broken pieces when they’re found, more intact items are pretty special.
The 4-Year-Old’s Curiosity Quickly Turned Into A Momentary Disaster
The child was very interested in the jug and wanted to see if there was anything inside. When it was in use, researchers believe it would have held oil or wine. Instead of these or any other substance, the little boy found disaster.
Tugging at the top of the jug to peer inside, he accidentally toppled it, and his father, whose name is being reported only as “Alex,” turned in time to witness the crash. He says his first thought was that it couldn’t have been his child who caused this — and then he switched to handling the situation.
He calmed his child and approached security personnel to explain.
The Crisis Was Averted As The Museum Turned It Into An Educational Opportunity
Instead of punishing the boy and his father, the museum intends to turn this into an educational opportunity for the child and the general public. The New York Times reports:
“The Hecht Museum, part of the University of Haifa, said the pitcher would be professionally restored in a process that would also be open for the public to watch.”
They also invited the child and his parents to return when the restoration is complete to see the jug again.
As you can imagine, despite expressing immense appreciation, the child’s father also says he’s very upset and sorry about the mishap and that the artifact will never truly be the same.
Footing The Bill — Who Does It Fall To?
In this case, the museum, which, according to a translation of its website, offers free admission to the public, has reportedly not attempted legal action against the family.
In other cases around the world, outcomes have varied. The Washington Journal Of Law reports that under U.S. law, for instance, damages are typically covered by insurance when accidental but can result in criminal or civil action when caused by negligence or intent.
In one particularly egregious example within the U.S., an 18-year-old vandal stormed through a Colorado museum exhibit, throwing sculptures and causing what was initially assessed as $2 million in damages. It was later downgraded to just under $100k after that institution, too, determined that most of the damaged pieces could be repaired.
According to the Denver Post, the teenager in that case pled guilty to criminal mischief, and accepted probation, a ban from the facility, and an order to pay back the cost of damages.
As for the 3,500-year-old pitcher, there are parents all around the world right now breathing a sigh of relief that this time, at least, it wasn’t their kid.