A curious toddler’s nature walk with her family uncovered a 3,800-year-old amulet from ancient Egypt. Ziv Nitzan, who is too young to appreciate the significance of the find, picked up a small stone that turned out to be an ornate object designed in the shape of a dung beetle, or scarab. The artifact, which originated in ancient Egypt and dates back to the Middle Bronze Age, was considered sacred by ancient Egyptians and symbolized new life.
The toddler’s discovery was made during a February family outing at Tel Azekah, an ancient hill about 40 miles south of Tel Aviv. Ziv’s parents, Sivan and [father’s name], realized their child had found something significant when she dusted off the stone and asked about its markings. The Israel Antiquities Authority confirmed that the artifact was genuine and dated back to the Middle Bronze Age.
The scarab amulet joins a long list of Egyptian and Canaanite finds discovered at Tel Azekah, which attest to the close cultural ties between Canaan and Egypt during that period. Archaeologists believe that the site thrived as one of the most important cities in the Judean Lowlands during the Middle Bronze and Late Bronze Ages.
Ziv’s parents were shocked when they realized what their child had found and recognized the markings as those of a scarab. They contacted the Antiquities Authority, which confirmed the find and awarded Ziv a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship. The authority plans to display the amulet at a special exhibit for Passover in mid-April, where everyone will be able to see it and enjoy it.
The discovery highlights the rich history of Israel, with over 35,000 archaeological sites across the country. Children, including Ziv, stumble upon artifacts a few times a year, according to the Antiquities Authority.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/02/toddler-finds-scarab-artifact-israel