A 3,500-year-old Egyptian scarab amulet was discovered near Hod Hasharon by 12-year-old Dafna Filshteiner during a family hike. The artifact, linked to Egypt’s New Kingdom period, is now on display at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem.
Dafna found the amulet while hiking near Tel Qana, searching for porcupine quills and smooth stones. She initially mistook the object for a simple rock.
“I showed it to my mother,” Dafna said, “she said it was just an ordinary stone or a bead. But then I saw a decoration and stubbornly insisted it was more than that.”
After researching online, the family contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority. Experts later confirmed the object’s historical significance. Dr. Yitzhak Paz, a Bronze Age specialist with the authority, examined the amulet and dated it to the Egyptian New Kingdom, approximately 3,500 years ago.
The scarab, a sacred symbol in ancient Egyptian culture, was associated with Khepri, the god of the rising sun. It represented life, growth, and renewal.
Egyptians also linked the beetle to creation, observing how it laid eggs in dung balls, which appeared to bring life from nothing. This belief elevated the scarab to a symbol of divine creation. The amulet discovered by Dafna features a scarab, two scorpions, and other symbols.
Dr. Paz explained that the scorpions are connected to the goddess Serket, believed to protect pregnant women. The artifact also includes the “nefer” symbol, meaning “good” or “chosen,” and a depiction of a royal staff.
Scarabs were commonly used as seals in ancient Egypt, with many clay versions found over the years. While the scarab is a distinctly Egyptian symbol, similar designs have been unearthed far beyond Egypt’s borders. Dr. Paz noted this highlights the broad influence of Egyptian culture in the ancient world.
Archaeologists Dr. Amit Dagan and Dr. Ayelet Dayan, working at Tel Qana, called the find significant. They said it offers new insights into Egypt’s cultural reach, particularly in the Yarkon region.
The Israel Antiquities Authority honored Dafna with a certificate of appreciation for her discovery. Eli Escusido, director of the authority, praised her curiosity saying, “Dafna received a certificate of appreciation from the Israel Antiquities Authority, and now the scarab she found is on display in Jerusalem so everyone can enjoy it.”
The scarab is part of the ongoing research into ancient Egyptian influence in Israel and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of civilizations in the ancient world.
