In early March, during a family trip to Tel Azekah near Beit Shemesh, three-and-a-half-year-old Ziv Nitzan from Moshav Ramot Meir stumbled upon an extraordinary piece of history—an ancient scarab amulet dating back approximately 3,800 years.
The young girl’s discovery was purely accidental, according to her sister, Omer Nitzan. “We were walking along the path when Ziv bent down and picked up a particular stone,” she said, according to a press release published by the Israel Antiquities Authority. “After rubbing off the sand, we saw something was different about it. We quickly called our parents and realized we had found an archaeological artifact. We immediately reported it” to the IAA, she continued.
Judah Region District Archaeologist Semyon Gendler commended the family for their prompt reporting and awarded Ziv a certificate of appreciation for her good citizenship. The amulet will now be displayed in a special Passover exhibition at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, alongside other rare artifacts from the periods of Egypt and Canaan, many of which are being displayed publicly for the first time.
Daphna Ben-Tor, an expert in ancient amulets and seals, identified the object as a Canaanite scarab from the Middle Bronze Age. “Scarabs were used during this period as seals and amulets, often found in graves, public buildings, and homes,” she said, according to the release. “Many feature symbols and messages reflecting religious beliefs or social status,” she explained.
Scarabs are artifacts originating in ancient Egypt, shaped like a dung beetle. The beetle held religious significance in ancient Egypt as a symbol of creation and renewal, believed to represent the incarnation of the Creator God.
This scarab was discovered at the foot of Tel Azekah, an important archaeological site with evidence of multiple cultural shifts throughout history, according to the IAA. Tel Aviv University-led excavations there have uncovered remnants from the Judahite Kingdom, including city walls and agricultural installations. Tel Azekah is also most famously linked to the biblical battle between David and Goliath, as described in the Book of Samuel.
“We have been excavating here for almost 15 years, and findings confirm that during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, Tel Azekah was one of the most significant cities in the Judean Foothills,” said professor Oded Lipschits, director of the Tel Aviv University excavation, according to the release. “This scarab joins a growing collection of Egyptian and Canaanite artifacts found at the site, underscoring the deep cultural connections between Canaan and Egypt at the time.”
Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu emphasized the historical significance of Ziv’s discovery: “This seal connects us to the grand civilizations that lived on this land thousands of years ago. It is a reminder that even children can play a role in uncovering history.”
IAA Director Eli Escusido praised the family’s decision to hand over the artifact to the National Treasures of Israel.
“Thanks to Ziv, the public will be able to see and appreciate this remarkable find. As part of our special Passover exhibition, we will showcase seals of the pharaohs, Egyptian statues, ritual vessels and other artifacts reflecting Egypt’s influence on the Land of Israel.”
