Scarab (front)

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 the 2nd Intermediate Period, 15th or 16th Dynasty (around around 1636 to 1528 BC).

This picture shows the front of the scarab. The carving outlines the features of the dung beetle.

Scarabs were made in various materials, with glazed steatite the most common. They first appeared at the end of the Old Kingdom (around 2650 to 2150 BC), but did not become common until the Middle Kingdom (around 2007 to 1759 BC).

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Online ID:	000-100-104-572-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1965.145
Date:	2nd Intermediate Period, 15th - 16th Dynasty 2nd Intermediate Period: 15th or 16th Dynasty (around 1636 to 1528 BC)
Material:	Inscription: The Chancellor, Sole Companion, Superintendent of the Seal, Hur
Dimensions:	25 mm L
What:	Scarab
Subject:	Scarabs
Who:	Hur, The Chancellor, Sole Companion, Superintendent
Where:	Ancient Egypt
Event:
Description:	Scarab, green-glazed steatite, incised on the base with hieroglyphs naming the high official Hur: Ancient Egyptian, 2nd Intermediate Period, 15th - 16th Dynasty
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