Scarab amulet necklace

About This Item

Scarab amulets were used by both the living and the deceased for healing and protection. 

Date
Unknown (scarab amulet necklaces date from c. 2124–664 BCE)
Medium
faience
Context

Movies often portray scarabs as flesh-eating insects. In fact, the sacred scarab beetle (Kheper aegyptiorum) eats dung! Ancient Egyptians observed these scarabs rolling balls of dung to lay their eggs in and viewed this practice as symbolic of rebirth and the afterlife. 

Height
14.75 in
Width
1.75 in
Depth
0.5 in
Copyright
Copyright status unknown. Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing, and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
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1100

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