During a family trip near an archaeological site in Hod Hasharon, 12-year-old Dafna Filshtein found an ancient scarab amulet adorned with scorpions. The artifact was handed over to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), which awarded Dafna a certificate of appreciation, and the amulet will be displayed at the National Archaeological Campus in Jerusalem.
Dafna recounted how, during a hike with her family near the Nachal Kana archaeological site in Hod Hasharon, she came across the 3,500-year-old Egyptian scarab-shaped amulet. “I was looking for hedgehog spines and pebbles on the ground,” she said. “Suddenly, I picked up an interesting stone. I showed it to my mom, and she said it was just a stone or bead, but I saw a design and insisted. So, we looked it up online. There, we found similar pictures of stones like the one we found, realized it was something special, and immediately contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority.”
Dafna and her family reached out to Mor Wiesel, an archaeologist with the IAA, who presented Dafna with a certificate of recognition for her good citizenship and transferred the amulet to the state’s treasury. The scarab will be exhibited at the National Archaeological Campus in Jerusalem.
Dr. Yitzhak Paz, an expert on the Bronze Age from the IAA, examined the artifact and dated it to Egypt’s New Kingdom, about 3,500 years ago. The amulet features two scorpions positioned head-to-tail. Dr. Paz explained: “The scorpion was the symbol of the Egyptian goddess Serqet, who, among other things, was responsible for protecting childbirth. Another decoration on the amulet is the nefer symbol, meaning ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in Egyptian. Additionally, there is another symbol resembling a staff of authority.”
The expert continued: “A scarab is an amulet shaped like a dung beetle. This beetle, considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians, symbolized new life because it rolled a ball of dung in which it laid its eggs, and new life emerged from it. The Egyptian name is derived from the verb ‘to form’ or ‘to create,’ as the Egyptians saw the scarab as a manifestation of the creator god. Scarab amulets found in the region – sometimes used as seals – are evidence of Egyptian rule in our area about 3,500 years ago and its cultural influence.”
Dr. Paz added, “While the scarab is distinctly Egyptian, such artifacts were widely distributed beyond Egypt’s borders. It might have been dropped by an important figure passing through the area or perhaps intentionally buried. Since the artifact was discovered on the surface, determining its exact context is challenging.”
The Tel Kana site, near where the scarab was found, is an archaeologically significant location. Dr. Amit Dagan of the Land of Israel and Archaeology Studies program and Dr. Ayelet Dayan of the IAA, who are leading excavations in the area, commented: “The find is exciting and significant. The scarab and its unique artistic features, along with other discoveries at Tel Kana with similar motifs, provide new insights into the nature of Egyptian influence in the region, particularly in the Yarkon basin.”
Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, praised Dafna for reporting the discovery and handing over the scarab to the state. “Thanks to her, we are all exposed to an interesting and valuable archaeological artifact,” he said. “Dafna received a certificate of appreciation from the Israel Antiquities Authority, and the scarab will now be displayed for the public at the National Archaeological Campus of Israel in Jerusalem, dedicated to Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein. Everyone is invited to come and visit!”
