During a family trip to Tel Azekah near Beit Shemesh last month, 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. "After rubbing off the sand, we saw something was different about it. We quickly called our parents and realised we had found an archaeological artifact.”
Omer said the stunned parents immediately reported the find to the Israel Antiquities Authority to preserve the ancient item.
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 explained, adding: "Many feature symbols and messages reflecting religious beliefs or social status.”
Scarabs originated in ancient Egypt and are shaped like the beetles of the same name. The scarab held religious significance in ancient Egypt as a symbol of creation and renewal, believed to represent the incarnation of the Creator God.
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This seal 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 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. “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 hailed the historical significance of Ziv’s discovery, saying: “This seal connects us to the grand civilisations 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.”
