Valuable ancient artefacts provide a direct connection to human history by revealing details such as the old ways of life and the tools used at that time. They also provide valuable evolutionary insights that reveal how certain groups of people evolved from bygone eras. This is by allowing historians and archaeologists to compare crucial advances achieved across different timelines. As such, keeping the items safe ensures that civilizations in the present and in the future learn about the past and appreciate the richness of human history.
That said, the Minoan Octopus Vase (better known as a flask) and other treasured relics are often fragile and are easily damaged. In most cases, the damage is caused by human error as mistakes can and do happen during retrieval, when fixing them, transporting them, or even when on display.
What Incident Caused the Minoan Octopus Vase to break?
Relics tend to break more easily and it’s often very difficult to keep them in good condition. For example, in 2015, a 4,000-year-old Minoan Octopus vase fell and got destroyed while on display at the eminent Heraklion Museum in Crete, Greece. A visitor, who was ambling in the museum, caused the damage after he tripped and inadvertently held on to the vase in a bid to prevent himself from falling. Due to the fragility of the vase, which had been further weakened by age, it got damaged.
Fortunately, the museum’s restoration team was able to repair the item promptly. Interestingly, it was discovered during the repair process that the vase had been previously broken in a different era. Going by the findings, the item had signs of a previous repair suggesting that someone else had also accidentally broken the Minoan vase and fixed it approximately 4,000 years ago. It is worth noting that Minoan vases characteristically had very thin walls; hence their susceptibility to damage.
Why Was the Minoan Octopus Vase Important?
The Minoan people lived on Crete from about 3000 BCE to 1200 BCE. They left behind many items and architectural structures that revealed a lot about their culture. The broken vase at the Heraklion Museum was one of many items that allowed archaeologists to determine how advanced their civilization was at the time of its creation.
Like many other Minoan octopus vases, the vase featured a detailed design of the octopus, a sea creature that was a common motif in their art. The designs reveal not only how skilled Minoan artists were but also how important the sea was to them due to its inescapable influence on their art.
In What Other Instances Have Artifacts Been Accidentally Destroyed?
Protecting old artefacts is an exceedingly delicate process. This is because on many occasions, important items get damaged by accident. Recent incidents have demonstrated just how easy it is for such items to get destroyed.
In June 2024, for example, archaeologists stumbled upon an ancient structure on the island of Crete. The building was estimated to have been built between 2000 BCE and 1700 BCE. The building was discovered as the authorities prepared to clear the area in order to build a radar station for a new airport. According to experts, the structure was probably used for ritual ceremonies. Following the important finding, the Greek government, through the Greek Ministry of Culture, issued a statement declaring that a different location would be used for the project. The incident highlighted just how easily ancient structures can be destroyed, especially in the absence of archaeological experts.
In another incident in 2006, a person visiting the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge accidentally broke three Chinese relics worth about $175,000. This was after he tripped while walking down the stairs, knocking them over. A similar incident happened at a museum in Jerusalem in 2023, except this time, it wasn’t an accident. The visitor deliberately destroyed two old Roman statues following a rampage. While the vandal was arrested, the incident raised questions about the safety of artifacts put on display in museums and galleries.
What Are the Challenges of Preserving Ancient Artefacts?
The damage caused to the treasured Minoan Octopus vase along with other similar events have compelled museums and other cultural centers around the world that preserve artefacts to improve their safety measures. The measures have included installing security and motion detection cameras that give warnings to visitors who are too close to the items, employing trained guards and guides, and training staff on how to handle the items. This is with an aim to minimize the chances of unfortunate accidents happening.
