Scarab

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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 probably from Palestine. It dates from the 2nd Intermediate Period or early New Kingdom (around 1759 to 1295 BC).

This picture shows the base of the scarab. It has been incised with a motif showing two fish within a rope border.

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: 000-100-104-609-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1965.150
• Date: 2nd Intermediate Period or early New Kingdom (around 1759 to 1295 BC)
  2nd Intermediate Period, 15th - 16th Dynasty
  
• Material:
• Dimensions: 0.56" L
  
• What:
• Subject: Scarabs
  
• Who:
• Where: Ancient Egypt, Palestine
  
• Event:
• Description: Scarab, green-glazed steatite, incised on base with motif showing two fish within a rope border: Probably of Palestinian origin, Ancient Egyptian, 2nd Intermediate Period or early New Kingdom
  
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