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 is one of several found in a grave at Abydos in Egypt. It dates from around 1641 to 1539 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 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: 000-100-104-598-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1922.403 C
• Date: 2nd Intermediate Period, 17th Dynasty
  2nd Intermediate Period: 17th Dynasty (around 1641 to 1539 BC)
  
• Material: Scarab
  
• Dimensions: 0.56" L
  
• What: Scarab
  
• Subject: Scarabs
  
• Who:
• Where: Ancient Egypt, Abydos
  
• Event:
• Description: Scarab of green-glazed steatite, incised on the base with hieroglyphic motif: Ancient Egyptian, from Abydos, 2nd Intermediate Period, 17th Dynasty
  
• References:
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