Scarab (front)

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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 was found at Gaza in Palestine. It dates from the 2nd Intermediate Period or early New Kingdom (around 1759 to 1295 BC).

This picture shows the front of the scarab. The carving outlines the features of the dung beetle. The glaze on the scarab is decayed.

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

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-593-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1938.271
• Date: 2nd Intermediate Period or early New Kingdom (around 1759 to 1295 BC)
  2nd Intermediate Period, 15th - 16th Dynasty
  
• Material: Scarab
  
• Dimensions: 0.50" L
  
• What: Scarab
  
• Subject: Scarabs
  
• Who:
• Where: Ancient Egypt, Palestine, Gaza
  Anthedon
  
• Event:
• Description: Scarab, decayed glazed steatite, inscribed on base with a recumbent gazelle: Palestinian, from Gaza, Ancient Egyptian, 2nd Intermediate Period or early New Kingdom
  
• References:
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