Scaraboid (reverse)

A scaraboid is a seal amulet used by the ancient Egyptians. It is similar to a scarab, but lacks the naturalistic details of the dung beetle which were portrayed on scarabs. This example of faience from Gurob in Egypt dates from the New Kingdom (around 1539 to 1069 BC).

This picture shows the reverse of the scaraboid. It was carved in relief with a cartouche (an oval which contained a name, here of Menkhepherre) with snakes on either side. Above is a crouching sphinx and hieroglyphs.

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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