As her 4-year-old son looked at ancient artifacts in an Israeli museum, Anna Geller looked away for a moment. Then there was a loud crash, a rare 3,500-year-old pot shattered on the floor, and her son stood over it, stunned.
The Bronze Age jar that was broken by her son, Ariel Geller, last week has been on display at the Hecht Museum in Haifa for 35 years. It was one of the only vessels of its size and period that was still complete when it was discovered. It was probably used to store wine or oil, and dates to between 2200 and 1500 B.C.E.
Ariel Heller, 4, center, and her parents Anna and Alex during their visit to the Hecht Museum. (Credit: Maya Alleruzzo/AP)
What might be considered a parent's worst nightmare turned into a learning experience on Friday when the Geller family returned to the museum, which is affiliated with the University of Haifa in northern Israel. Ariel gifted the museum a clay vase of his own and was received with indulgence by staff and curators.
