Conorp Egypt

Scarabs

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Scarabs 1 EGYPT, Diospolis Parva, Cemetery Y, Grave 274 Scarab Second Intermediate Period – early New Kingdom, Dynasties XV-XVIII, until the end of the reign of Hatshepsut, 1650-1458 BC steatite. glaze 1.0×1.1 x2.1 cm Presented by the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1899 (654-D2) 2 Diospolis Parva Scarab Middle Kingdom – Second Intermediate Period. Dynasties XII-XVII, 1985-1550 BC steatite. glaze 0.8x 1.5×2.1 cm Presented by the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1899 (660-D2) 3 Ghurob, Tomb 613 Scarab New Kingdom, dynasty XVIII, reign of Thutmose III. 1479-1425 BC steatite. glaze 0.8 x 1.4 x 1.9 cm Presented by the British School of Archaeology in Egypt, ‘.921 (3409C-D3) 4 Diospolis Parva Scarab New.- Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII, reign of Thutmose III. 1479-1425 BC steatite, glaze 0.7×0.7x 1.7 cm Presented by the Egypt Exploration Fund, 1899 (657-D2) 5 Egypt Scarab New Kingdom, Dynasty XIX, reign of Ramesses II, 1279-1213 BC steatite. glaze 1.0 X 1.6 X 1.9 cm Accessioned, 1982 (D106-1982) 6 Egypt Scarab New: Kingdom, Dynasty XIX, reign of Ramesses II, 1279-1213 BC steatite 1.Ox1.3×1.9cm Acccssioned. 1982 (D107-1982) 7 Egypt Scarab New Kingdom, Dynasty XVIII, reign of Amenhotep III, 1390-1352 BC limestone, glaze 3.3×5.7×8.3crn Felton Bequest. 1939 (D108-1982)

The scarab beetle rolling a ball of dung evoked the image of the solar disc rising from the horizon. Thus is symbolised the god Khepri, the sun god and creator at his rising, who had triumphed over chaos, represented by the giant serpent Apep, during the hours of night in the Underworld. It was, therefore, a potent symbol of resurrection, for the setting of the sun symbolized the death of the creator while its rising marked his birth. Images in scarab from were used widely in hewellery worn by the living and the dead.

Scarab seals occur from the late Old Kingdom onwards, made from stone and glazed composition (faience). They were set into rings, formed components of necklaces and bracelets, and suspended upon chains; they could be used to impress devices marking ownership into clay or wax attached to boxes, doors and letters. The back is carved in the image of the beetle with its wings closed and legs at the side; rarely, the head of the beetle is replaced with a human face (1). The underside can carry geometric designs (2), private and royal names (4, 5, 6), titles of officials and images of gods (3).

Flanking the cartouche of King Thutmose III (3) are squatting figures with pendulous stomachs and royal insignia representing the fertility of the land. King Ramesses II is shown riding in his chariot (5), a mark of elite status, and in the quintessential posture of Egyptian supremacy over foreigners (6). The image of the sacred ram of the god Amun-Ra (3) wears his typical crown, with the winged solar disc above and a protective goddess behind. The reign of Amnhotep III saw the circulation of large scarabs commemorating a variety of events; an example of one issue (7), his killing of 102 lions during the first ten years of rule, is recorded.