Three-year-old Ziv Nitzan stumbles upon a spectacular find at Tel Azekah. During that hunt with her own family, she discovered a 3,800-year-old Canaanite scarab! In March, researchers announced an amazing find. This discovery further highlights the historical importance of the site, revealing that it has been populated since the Bronze Age. This scarab, modeled after dung beetles, will be premiered shortly. It will take its place alongside many other rare Egyptian and Canaanite artifacts from that time period on display at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem.
The scarab had spiritual importance, as it represented new life, a conviction widely ingrained in ancient Egyptian culture. Ancient people thought that dung beetles could be created out of thin air. This misunderstanding further associated them with Khepri, the god of creation. Consequently, the ancient Egyptians considered dung beetles to be sacred representations. Demonstrating their respect for these spirits, humans would create amulets in the likeness of these characters. During the Middle Bronze Age, they frequently utilized these amulets as seals and protective charms.
Ziv’s discovery deepens our understanding of the cultural connections that ancient Egypt and Canaan shared during this period. Omer Nitzan, Ziv’s father, recounted the moment: “Out of the 7,000 stones around her, she picked up one stone. Then she dusted the sand off and noticed that there was something peculiar about it.” This serendipitous find adds to the amazing list of artifacts found at Tel Azekah. It casts the proverbial spotlight on the path of influence and effect from one ancient culture to another.
According to Daphna Ben-Tor, a prominent archaeologist, “Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets.” Indeed, this sentiment is a testament to the significance of Ziv’s discovery. It can lead us to a much more nuanced understanding of the processes of cultural exchange that shaped the Middle Bronze Age.
This find is an example of the deep and complex history of the area. It emphasizes the important part that intrepid youth today can have in discovering these lost relics of the past. The scarab found by Ziv Nitzan will soon join other historical artifacts on display, offering visitors a glimpse into the intertwined legacies of Canaan and Egypt.
