Scarab (front)

A scarab is an ancient Egyptian amulet in the form of a dung beetle, symbolic of regeneration. As time went on, scarabs developed into use as personal seals. This example of glazed steatite dates from around 1937 to 1641 BC.

This picture shows the front of the scarab. The carving outlines the features of the dung beetle.

The scarab became associated with Khephri, the god of the rising sun. The Egyptians believed that he rolled across the sky the ball of sun that appeared reborn every morning, just as the dung beetle rolls a ball of dung over the sand.

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Online ID:	000-190-002-015-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1965.146
Date:	Middle Kingdom, 12th - 13th Dynasty Middle Kingdom: 12th or 13th Dynasty (around 1937 to 1641 BC)
Material:
Dimensions:	0.81" L
What:	Scarab
Subject:	Scarabs
Who:
Where:	Ancient Egypt
Event:
Description:	Scarab in blue-green glazed steatite, with C and S coils engraved on the base: Ancient Egyptian, Middle Kingdom, 12th - 13th Dynasty
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