Ancient Assyrian Scarab-Shaped Seal Found in Israel

The rare amulet-seal is at least 2,800 years old (First Temple period), according to a team of experts from the Israel Antiquities Authority and the University of Fribourg.

The 2,800-year-old amulet-seal from the site of Tel Rekhesh, Israel. Image credit: Israel Antiquities Authority.

“The scarab, made of a semi-precious stone called carnelian, depicts either a mythical griffin creature or a galloping winged horse,” said Professor Othmar Keel, an archaeologist with the University of Fribourg.

“Similar scarabs have been dated to the 8th century BCE.”

“The beautiful scarab was found at the foot of Tel Rekhesh, one of the most important tells in Galilee.”

“The site has been identified as ‘Anaharat,’ a town within the territory of the tribe of Issachar (Joshua 19:19).”

“This is one of the most important finds from Tel Rekhesh, dated to the Iron Age (7th-6th centuries BCE),” added Dr. Itzik Paz, an archaeologist at the Israel Antiquities Authority.

“At that time, a large fortress stood on the tell which was apparently under Assyrian control, the empire that was responsible for the destruction of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.”

“It is therefore quite possible that the scarab, discovered at the foot of the tell, testifies to the presence of Assyrian (or possibly Babylonian) administration at the site.”

“The griffin motif on the seal is a known artistic motif in ancient Near Eastern art, and it is common on Iron Age seals.”

“If indeed the seal can be dated, it may be possible to link it with the Assyrian presence in the Tel Rekhesh fortress, a discovery of great significance.”

The 2,800-year-old amulet-seal. Image credit: Israel Antiquities Authority.

“The scarab is a type of seal whose use was widespread throughout the ancient world from the 4th millennium BCE onwards,” the researchers explained.

“Scarab seals were shaped like dung beetles, hence their name. The Egyptian name derives from the verb ‘to become’ or ‘to be created,’ as the Egyptians saw the scarab as a symbol of the creator god.”

“Scarabs were made from a wide variety of stones, including semi-precious stones, such as amethyst and carnelian, but most scarabs were made of steatite, a grayish-white, soft talc stone, which was usually coated with a blue-green glaze.”

“Since the glaze only survived in dry climates, such as Egypt, scarabs found in Israel rarely retain traces of the glaze; in this context, the deep orange color of this scarab is both rare and striking.”

The Assyrian scarab-shaped seal was found by Erez Avrahamov, 45-year-old resident of Peduel.

“I had two days off from IDF reserves service, and I decided to take advantage of the sunny days to hike,” Avrahamov said.

“While walking, I saw something shiny on the ground, and at first, I thought it was a bead or an orange stone.”

“When I picked it up, I noticed that it was engraved like a scarab or beetle.”

“I called the Israel Antiquities Authority and reported the amazing find.”

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