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Tel Azeka, Israel – A three-year-old Israeli girl has made an extraordinary archaeological discovery while hiking with her family, unearthing a 3,800-year-old Canaanite scarab amulet at the site of Tel Azeka near Bet Shemesh, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced on Tuesday.
Ziv Nitzan, from Moshav Ramot Meir, was exploring the area with her parents and two older sisters when she picked up what appeared to be a small stone. Upon closer inspection, the family quickly realized they had stumbled upon an ancient artifact.
“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,” said her sister, Omer Nitzan, in a statement released by the IAA.
“When she rubbed it and removed the sand from it, we saw something was different about it. I called my parents to come see the beautiful stone, and we realized we had discovered an archaeological find! We immediately reported this to the Israel Antiquities Authority.”
Ancient Symbolism and Historical Significance
Scarab amulets trace their origins to ancient Egypt, where beetles were revered as sacred symbols of renewal and resurrection. Egyptians believed these insects embodied new life, as they laid their eggs inside dung balls, seemingly bringing life from decay.
“Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets,” explained Dr. Daphna Ben-Tor, an expert in the field. “They were found in graves, in public buildings, and in private homes. Sometimes they bear symbols and messages that reflect religious beliefs or status.”
Ben-Tor determined that the scarab found at Tel Azeka was of Canaanite origin, linking it to the ancient peoples of the Levant who flourished up to 3,500 years ago. Historical records, including biblical references, describe the Canaanites as a group of city-state rulers deeply connected with Egyptian culture.
The Significance of Tel Azeka
Tel Azeka is historically significant and is mentioned in the Bible as the site of the legendary battle between David and the Philistine giant Goliath (Samuel I 17:1). The site has been the focus of extensive archaeological excavations for 15 years, led by researchers from Tel Aviv University.
“The excavation findings show that during the Middle Bronze and Late Bronze Ages [2000-1000 BCE], Tel Azeka was one of the most important cities in the Judean Lowlands,” said Prof. Oded Lipschits, excavation director at the site.
“The scarab found by Ziv joins a long list of Egyptian and Canaanite artifacts discovered here, highlighting the close cultural ties between Canaan and Egypt during that period.”
Showcased in a Special Exhibit
The ancient scarab will be displayed in a special Passover exhibit at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem, alongside other significant Egyptian and Canaanite artifacts.
The exhibition will feature seals of pharaohs, Egyptian statues, ritual vessels, and additional evidence of Egypt’s cultural influence in the region. In recognition of her remarkable find, the IAA presented Ziv and her family with a certificate of appreciation.
“This discovery serves as yet another reminder of the rich and fascinating history buried beneath our feet,” said IAA Director Eli Escusido. “It is truly inspiring to see such a young girl uncover a piece of our ancient past.”
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members