User:Hazelsvest/Scarab (artifact): Difference between revisions
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'''Scarabs''' are beetle-shaped [[Amulet|amulets]] and [[Impression seal|impression seals]] which were widely popular throughout [[ancient Egypt]]. They still survive in large numbers today. Through their inscriptions and [[Typology (archaeology)|typology]], they prove to be an important source of information for archaeologists and historians of the ancient world, and represent a significant body of ancient Egyptian art. |
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Likely due to their connections to the Egyptian god [[Khepri]], amulets in the form of [[Scarabaeidae|scarab beetles]] had become enormously popular in Ancient Egypt by the early [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]] (approx. 2000 BCE) and remained popular for the rest of the pharaonic period and beyond. Throughout Egyptian history, the function of scarabs repeatedly changed. Though primarily worn as amulets and sometimes rings, scarabs were also inscribed for use as personal or administrative seals or were incorporated into other kinds of jewelry. Additionally, some scarabs were created for political or diplomatic purposes to commemorate or advertise royal achievements. |
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Starting in the [[middle Bronze Age]], other ancient peoples of the [[Mediterranean Basin|Mediterranean]] and the [[Middle East]] imported scarabs from Egypt and also produced scarabs in Egyptian or local styles, especially in the [[Levant]]. |
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By the end of the [[First Intermediate Period]] (about 2055 BCE) scarabs had become extremely common. They largely replaced [[cylinder seals]] and circular "button seals" with simple geometric designs. Throughout the period in which they were made, scarabs were often engraved with the names of pharaohs and other royal figures. In the [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]], scarabs were also engraved with the names and titles of officials, to be used as official seals. From the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom]], scarabs bearing the names and titles of officials became rarer, while scarabs bearing the names of gods, often combined with short prayers or mottos became more popular, though these scarabs are somewhat difficult to translate. |
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===== Religious significance ===== |
===== Religious significance ===== |
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In ancient Egypt, the Scarab Beetle was a highly significant symbolic representation of the divine manifestation of the morning sun. |
In ancient Egypt, the Scarab Beetle was a highly significant symbolic representation of the divine manifestation of the morning sun. |
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[[File:Khepri (God).png|thumb|Egyptian God Khepri as a man with a scarab beetle for a head.]] |
[[File:Khepri (God).png|thumb|Egyptian God Khepri as a man with a scarab beetle for a head.]] |
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The Egyptian god [[Khepri]] was believed to roll the sun across the sky each day at daybreak. In a similar fashion, some beetles of the family [[Scarabaeidae]] use their legs to roll dung into balls. |
The Egyptian god [[Khepri]] was believed to roll the sun across the sky each day at daybreak. In a similar fashion, some beetles of the family [[Scarabaeidae]] use their legs to roll dung into balls. Ancient Egyptians believed this action was symbolic of the sun's east to west journey across the sky.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |title=Scarabs |url=https://archaeologicalmuseum.jhu.edu/staff-projects/ancient-egyptian-amulets/scarabs/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=JHU Archaeological Museum |language=en}}</ref> Thus, the scarab was seen as a reflection of the eternal cycle of life and was characterized as representing the idea of rebirth and regeneration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-20 |title=Ancient Egyptian Scarabs: 10 Curated Facts to Know |url=https://www.thecollector.com/egyptian-scarabs/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=TheCollector |language=en}}</ref> |
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The scarab has ties to themes of manifestation and growth, and scarabs have been found all across Egypt which originate from many different periods in Egyptian history. scarabs have also been found inside of sunken ships, like one discovered in [[Uluburun shipwreck|Uluburun]], Turkey, which was inscribed with the name of the Egyptian queen [[Nefertiti]]. |
The scarab has ties to themes of manifestation and growth, and scarabs have been found all across Egypt which originate from many different periods in Egyptian history. scarabs have also been found inside of sunken ships, like one discovered in [[Uluburun shipwreck|Uluburun]], Turkey, which was inscribed with the name of the Egyptian queen [[Nefertiti]]. |
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Revision as of 08:27, 1 March 2024
User:Hazelsvest/Scarab
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Scarabs are beetle-shaped amulets and impression seals which were widely popular throughout ancient Egypt. They still survive in large numbers today. Through their inscriptions and typology, they prove to be an important source of information for archaeologists and historians of the ancient world, and represent a significant body of ancient Egyptian art.
Likely due to their connections to the Egyptian god Khepri, amulets in the form of scarab beetles had become enormously popular in Ancient Egypt by the early Middle Kingdom (approx. 2000 BCE) and remained popular for the rest of the pharaonic period and beyond. Throughout Egyptian history, the function of scarabs repeatedly changed. Though primarily worn as amulets and sometimes rings, scarabs were also inscribed for use as personal or administrative seals or were incorporated into other kinds of jewelry. Additionally, some scarabs were created for political or diplomatic purposes to commemorate or advertise royal achievements.
Starting in the middle Bronze Age, other ancient peoples of the Mediterranean and the Middle East imported scarabs from Egypt and also produced scarabs in Egyptian or local styles, especially in the Levant.
By the end of the First Intermediate Period (about 2055 BCE) scarabs had become extremely common. They largely replaced cylinder seals and circular "button seals" with simple geometric designs. Throughout the period in which they were made, scarabs were often engraved with the names of pharaohs and other royal figures. In the Middle Kingdom, scarabs were also engraved with the names and titles of officials, to be used as official seals. From the New Kingdom, scarabs bearing the names and titles of officials became rarer, while scarabs bearing the names of gods, often combined with short prayers or mottos became more popular, though these scarabs are somewhat difficult to translate.
Article body
Description
Scarabs were typically carved or molded in the form of a scarab beetle (usually identified as Scarabaeus sacer) with varying degrees of naturalism but usually at least indicating the head, wing case and legs but with a flat base. The base was usually inscribed with designs or hieroglyphs to form an impression seal. They were usually drilled from end to end to allow them to be strung on a thread or incorporated into a swivel ring. The common length for standard scarabs is between 6 mm and 40 mm and most are between 10 mm and 20 mm. Larger scarabs were made from time to time for particular purposes, such as the commemorative scarabs of Amenhotep III.
Scarabs were generally either carved from stone, or molded from Egyptian faience, a type of Ancient Egyptian sintered-quartz ceramic. Once carved, they would typically be glazed blue or green and then fired. The most common stone used for scarabs was a form of steatite, a soft stone that becomes hard when fired (forming enstatite), or porcelain.[1] In contrast, hardstone scarabs most commonly were composed of green jasper, amethyst and carnelian.
While the majority of scarabs would originally have been green or blue, much of the colored glazes have become discolored or erased by the elements over time, leaving most steatite scarabs appearing white or brown.
Religious significance
In ancient Egypt, the Scarab Beetle was a highly significant symbolic representation of the divine manifestation of the morning sun.
The Egyptian god Khepri was believed to roll the sun across the sky each day at daybreak. In a similar fashion, some beetles of the family Scarabaeidae use their legs to roll dung into balls. Ancient Egyptians believed this action was symbolic of the sun's east to west journey across the sky.[2] Thus, the scarab was seen as a reflection of the eternal cycle of life and was characterized as representing the idea of rebirth and regeneration.[3]
The scarab has ties to themes of manifestation and growth, and scarabs have been found all across Egypt which originate from many different periods in Egyptian history. scarabs have also been found inside of sunken ships, like one discovered in Uluburun, Turkey, which was inscribed with the name of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti.
*Replace image of shipwreck map with Khepri image*
References
- ^ "A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890), SCALPTURA". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ admin. "Scarabs". JHU Archaeological Museum. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Ancient Egyptian Scarabs: 10 Curated Facts to Know". TheCollector. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2024-03-01.