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 faded glazed steatite dates from around 1382 to 1344 BC.

This picture shows the front of the scarab. The carvings outline features of the 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. Khephri is often shown in tomb illustrations as a scarab-headed male.

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Online ID:	000-100-104-571-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1960.572
Date:	New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty New Kingdom: 18th Dynasty, reign of Amenhotep III (around 1382 to 134
Material:
Dimensions:	84 mm L
What:	Scarab
Subject:	Scarabs
Who:	Amenhotep III Nash Collection
Where:	Ancient Egypt
Event:
Description:	Scarab, faded glazed steatite, incised on base with the lion-hunt text of Amenhotep III: Ancient Egyptian, New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty
References:	Blankenberg-van Delden, C. The large commemorative scarabs of Amenhotep III. Leiden: Brill, 1969, p 72 (C.22)
Translations:
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