Amulet

Date2700 BC-395 AD

MediumStone

DimensionsObject/Work: 23 x 19 mm

ClassificationsReligious/Ritual Equipment

Terms

Object numberC07136

DescriptionStone amulet in the form of a scarab beetle. They were used as amuletic jewellery both for the living and the deceased.

Due to the beetle's ability to push balls of dung for great distances the Egyptians linked it to the movement of the solar disk across the sky. The sun disk was pushed by the god Khepri who is depicted as a scarab beetle. In addition to this the Egyptians witnessed the new born scarabs seemingly spontaneously burst into life from the balls of dung. For this reason the scarab became a symbol of spontaneous generation, new life and resurrection.

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