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 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: 000-190-004-253-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1921.1092
• Date: Middle Kingdom, 12th - 13th Dynasty
  Middle Kingdom: 12th or 13th Dynasty (around 1937 to 1641 BC)
  
• Material: Scarab
  
• Dimensions: 0.50" L
  
• What: Scarab
  
• Subject: Scarabs
  
• Who: Hathor
  
• Where: Ancient Egypt
  
• Event:
• Description: Scarab in green glazed steatite, incised on the base with a decoration based on Hathor head: Ancient Egyptian, Middle Kingdom, 12th - 13th Dynasty
  
• References:
• Translations:
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