Scarab

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 base of the scarab. It has been incised with a hieroglyphic motif.

Egyptian hieroglyphs were pictures representing objects or sounds. They were sacred symbols, and closely linked to religion. Complicated and difficult to write, different scripts were developed over time for legal and administrative writing and for daily use.

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Online ID:	000-100-104-592-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1922.403 E
Date:	2nd Intermediate Period, 17th Dynasty 2nd Intermediate Period: 17th Dynasty (around 1641 to 1539 BC)
Material:
Dimensions:	0.50" L
What:
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
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