Photo credit: explorersweb.com
In a delightful twist of fate during a family stroll near Tel Azekah in central Israel, three-year-old Ziv Nitzan stumbled upon an exceptional artifact: a 3,800-year-old Egyptian scarab amulet. This captivating find is a testament to the wonders that nature and history can unfold, especially in the hands of an inquisitive child.
The tiny object Ziv discovered, resembling a beetle on one side and adorned with engravings on the other, was not just any stone. “Out of the 7,000 stones around her, she picked up one stone,” shared Omer Nitzan, Ziv’s older sister. “Then she brushed off the sand and saw that something was different about it. I called my parents to come see the beautiful stone and we realized we’d discovered an archaeological find!”
The Significance of the Scarab
Tel Azekah is a notable archaeological locale with a rich history, having been under excavation for roughly 15 years. The Nitzan family were quick to recognize the potential significance of their find and promptly reported it to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
Upon investigation, the IAA confirmed that the scarab was authentic and of great historical importance. The Canaanites, who inhabited regions now known as Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan in antiquity, are associated with the artifact. “Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets,” explained Daphna Ben-Tor from the IAA. “They were often found in graves, public buildings, and private homes, frequently bearing symbols that reflect religious beliefs or social status.”
Historically, Tel Azekah had significant standing during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, yielding numerous Egyptian and Canaanite artifacts. Oded Lipschits, the director of the Tel Aviv University excavations at the site, remarked, “The scarab found by Ziv joins a long list of Egyptian and Canaanite finds discovered here, which attest to the close ties and cultural influences between Canaan and Egypt during that period.”
How Did the Scarab End Up on a Hiking Trail?
Lipschits also shed light on how such ancient relics come to rest on modern hiking trails. Notably, in 1898, British archaeologists conducted initial digs in the area, unearthing an acropolis and various artifacts. Following their excavation, local landowners requested that the site be filled in for agricultural purposes.
“So the modern layers are now inside, and the old layers that used to be very deep in the ground are now on the surface,” Lipschits elaborated in an interview with The New York Times. “This is why people can find all kinds of ancient items like these scarabs on the surface.”
As the artifact undergoes further examination by experts, Ziv and her family have been recognized with a certificate of appreciation from the Israel Antiquities Authority for their exemplary “good citizenship” in preserving cultural heritage.
Source
explorersweb.com