Object Description
An ancient Egyptian, steatite scarab with incised hieroglyphs to the reverse. The moulded obverse features a stylised head and clypeus, with indentations at the side to represent the humeral callosities.The sides of the scarab are decorated with deep, linear incisions to represent its legs. The reverse features various inscribed hieroglyphs, arranged in three, slightly curved, columns, with the signs on either side being identical. In the centre there is a dung beetle which transliterates as ‘ḥpr’ (kheper), with two ‘nfr’ signs below, which translate as ‘good’ or ‘beautiful’. The final sign above the beetle is the ‘kӡ'(ka) sign; described as raised hands ready to embrace and translated as ‘soul’ or ‘spirit’. The register of hieroglyphs on either side are symmetrical. To the top is a bird, most likely a Horus falcon. Beneath are another set of Ka arms. Two ‘nb'(neb) basket signs follow; transliterated as ‘lord’. Two curling uraei follow, encasing the ‘nfr’ signs with their conjoined tails. The scarab is pierced longitudinally for suspension.
Date: Circa 1750 – 1550 BC
Period: Second Intermediate Period