Ancient Egyptian amulet discovered in Israel

A 3,300-year-old Egyptian scarab amulet has been discovered at the Tel Gezer National Park in Israel. The artifact, found by a 17-year-old American exchange student during a school trip, dates back to the Late Bronze Age.

The amulet is shaped like a dung beetle, a symbol of rebirth in ancient Egypt. It features two cobras, which served as symbols of protection and authority, positioned above a semi-circular hieroglyph representing “nb,” meaning “lord.”

Archaeologists from Tel Aviv University, led by Professor Ido Koch, examined the find. They noted that the design reflects the cultural influence of Egypt in the southern Levant during the second millennium BCE. The discovery highlights the historical importance of Gezer as a Canaanite city located on a major trade route under Egyptian influence.