The Discovery of the 3,800-Year-Old Biblical Scarab Amulet

The Discovery of the 3,800-Year-Old Scarab Amulet

In March 2025, Ziv Nitzan, a 3-year-old from Moshav Ramot Meir, was hiking with her family at Tel Azekah, near Beit Shemesh in central Israel, when she picked up what appeared to be a small stone. Her sister, Omer Nitzan, recounted, “We were walking along the path, and then Ziv bent down – and out of all the stones around her, she picked up this particular stone. When she rubbed it and removed the sand from it, we saw something was different about it.” The family recognized the object’s uniqueness and reported it to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), which identified it as a Canaanite scarab amulet from the Middle Bronze Age, dating to approximately 1800 BCE (3,800 years ago).

The scarab, shaped like a dung beetle, is a small, ornate object originating in ancient Egypt, where the beetle was considered sacred and symbolized new life and creation. Dr. Daphna Ben-Tor, an expert in ancient amulets and seals at the Israel Museum, confirmed its Canaanite origin and noted, “Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets. They were found in graves, in public buildings, and in private homes. Sometimes they bear symbols and messages that reflect religious beliefs or status.” The amulet’s Egyptian-inspired design reflects the cultural ties between Canaan and Egypt during the Bronze Age, a period when Canaanite cities thrived in the Levant, including modern-day Israel, Lebanon, and parts of Syria and Jordan.

Biblical Significance of Tel Azekah

Tel Azekah, where the amulet was found, is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as the site of the battle between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1), where the Philistines encamped “between Sokoh and Azekah” before David’s victory. The site, a fortified hill in the Judean Lowlands, was a significant city during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages (2000–1000 BCE), as confirmed by 15 years of excavations led by Professor Oded Lipschits of Tel Aviv University. Lipschits stated, “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.” The amulet, while not directly tied to the biblical narrative, enhances the historical context of Tel Azekah as a culturally rich site during the time of the Canaanites, who are frequently mentioned in the Bible as inhabitants of the land before the Israelites.

Archaeological and Cultural Context

The scarab amulet is not a “biblical” artifact in the sense of being directly linked to a specific biblical event or figure, as it predates the composition of the Hebrew Bible by centuries. However, its discovery at a site referenced in the Bible adds to its significance for understanding the ancient Near Eastern world in which biblical stories were set. Scarabs were often used as seals or protective amulets, sometimes inscribed with symbols or messages reflecting religious or social status. The IAA noted that the dung beetle’s association with creation in Egyptian culture—derived from the verb “to come into being”—made it a powerful symbol, potentially resonating with broader ancient Near Eastern beliefs about life and divinity.

The find was celebrated by Israeli authorities, with Ziv receiving a certificate of appreciation for “good citizenship” from Semyon Gendler, a Judah Region District Archaeologist. Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu remarked, “The seal that little Ziv found during a family trip to Tel Azekah connects us to a grand story, that of the ancient civilizations that lived in this land thousands of years ago.” The amulet is now on display at a special Passover exhibition at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, alongside other Egyptian and Canaanite artifacts, many shown publicly for the first time.

Addressing the 800-Year-Old Amulet Misconception

The query’s reference to an “800-year-old biblical amulet” likely stems from a misunderstanding or conflation with the 3,800-year-old scarab find. No credible reports from 2024 or 2025 describe an 800-year-old amulet (circa 1225 CE) found by a young girl. An 800-year-old artifact would belong to the medieval period, potentially linked to the Crusades or Islamic rule in the Levant, but no such discovery matches the description. A separate find, an 1,800-year-old silver Christian amulet from a Roman grave in Frankfurt, Germany (circa 230–270 CE), was reported in December 2024, but it was not found by a young girl and is unrelated to biblical Israel. The Frankfurt amulet, a phylactery with a Latin inscription invoking Jesus Christ, is significant for early Christianity but irrelevant to the query’s context.

It’s possible the 800-year figure is a typographical error or confusion with the 3,800-year-old scarab, amplified by media sensationalism or misreporting. The Canaanite amulet’s connection to Tel Azekah, a biblical site, may have led to its description as “biblical” in some outlets, though it predates the Bible’s events. To ensure accuracy, I’ve relied on primary reports from the IAA and reputable news sources like The Times of Israel, CBS News, and Live Science, which consistently describe the 3,800-year-old find.

Critical Perspective

While the scarab’s discovery is remarkable, its biblical significance should not be overstated. The amulet is a Canaanite artifact, reflecting a polytheistic culture that predates the monotheistic Israelite religion central to the Bible. Its presence at Tel Azekah supports the site’s historical importance but does not directly corroborate biblical narratives like David and Goliath, which are set centuries later and remain archaeologically unverified. The excitement around Ziv’s find highlights the public’s fascination with biblical archaeology, but scholars caution against conflating Bronze Age artifacts with later biblical texts without rigorous evidence.

Skeptics might note that the IAA’s promotion of the find, timed with a Passover exhibition, serves cultural and nationalistic purposes, emphasizing Israel’s ancient heritage. However, the amulet’s authenticity is undisputed, and its contribution to understanding Canaanite-Egyptian interactions is significant. The lack of a specific 800-year-old amulet report suggests the need for careful source verification in archaeological news, where dates and contexts can be easily distorted.

Conclusion

Ziv Nitzan’s discovery of a 3,800-year-old Canaanite scarab amulet at Tel Azekah is a remarkable archaeological find, enriching our understanding of the Bronze Age Levant and its cultural ties to Egypt. Its location at a site linked to the biblical David and Goliath story adds intrigue, though the amulet itself is not a biblical artifact. No evidence supports a report of an 800-year-old biblical amulet found by a young girl, and the 3,800-year-old scarab is the most likely match for the query. The find underscores the value of public engagement with archaeology and the importance of reporting discoveries to preserve history.

For further details, the IAA’s exhibition at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel offers a chance to view the amulet. For research tools or API services related to archaeological studies, visit https://x.ai/api.

Sources

• CBS News, “3-year-old girl discovers 3,800-year-old treasure during family outing in Israel,” April 1, 2025.
• Live Science, “3-year-old picks up ‘beautiful stone,’ discovers 3,800-year-old scarab amulet in Israel,” April 1, 2025.
• Fox News, “Little girl discovers 3,800-year-old amulet with ties to Biblical people during family trip,” April 2, 2025.
• Live Science, “1,800-year-old silver amulet could rewrite history of Christianity in the early Roman Empire,” December 19, 2024.
• The Times of Israel, “Three-year-old girl finds Canaanite seal where Bible says David battled Goliath,” March 31, 2025.
• Ancient Origins, “Toddler Archaeologist Finds 3,800-Year-Old Canaanite Amulet in Israel,” April 1, 2025.
• USA Today, “Scarab amulet from 3,800 years ago found by toddler vacationing in Israel,” April 2, 2025.
• Finestre sull’Arte, “Israel, little girl on field trip discovers 3,800-year-old amulet: a rare Bronze Age beetle,” April 2, 2025.

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