Stone Picked Up by 3-yr-old Turns out to be 3,800-yr-old Amulet
In a remarkable discovery, a stone picked up by a 3-year-old girl in Israel has turned out to be a 3,800-year-old Bronze Age scarab amulet. The young girl’s innocent playtime has led to a fascinating archaeological find that has shed light on the ancient history of the region.
The discovery was made in the city of Ashkelon, located in the southern coastal plain of Israel. According to reports, the 3-year-old girl was playing in the backyard of her family’s home when she picked up the stone. Her sister, who was filming the scene, captured the moment on video, which was later released by the Israel Antiquities Authority.
The video shows the 3-year-old girl holding the stone, looking at it with curiosity, and then placing it back down. Her sister is heard saying, “Out of 7,000 stones around her, she picked up one stone.” The significance of the stone was not apparent at the time, but further examination revealed that it was an ancient scarab amulet, dating back to the Middle Bronze Age.
A scarab amulet is a small stone or ceramic figurine that was used as a symbol of protection and good fortune. In ancient Egyptian culture, scarabs were believed to have magical powers and were often worn as amulets or used as seals. The use of scarabs as amulets and seals spread throughout the ancient Near East, including the Middle East and Mediterranean regions.
Dr. Amir Ganor, the director of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s unit for the prevention of antiquities robbery, commented on the significance of the discovery, saying, “Scarabs were used in the Middle Bronze Age as seals and as amulets. This is an exceptional find, especially since it was discovered by chance.”
The amulet is made of a yellowish-brown stone, approximately 2.5 cm in length, and features a scarab beetle with a distinctive shell-like pattern. The stone is highly polished, indicating that it was carefully crafted by ancient craftsmen.
The discovery of the amulet has provided valuable insights into the cultural and social practices of the Middle Bronze Age. The use of scarabs as amulets and seals suggests that the people of this period placed great importance on protection, good fortune, and spiritual well-being.
The amulet is now being preserved and conserved at the Israel Antiquities Authority’s museum in Ashkelon, where it will be displayed for the public to admire. The discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and the significance of even the smallest artifacts in understanding our shared human history.
In conclusion, the story of the 3-year-old girl who picked up a stone and discovered a 3,800-year-old amulet is a heartwarming reminder of the power of curiosity and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage. The discovery of this ancient amulet is a testament to the enduring fascination of archaeology and the importance of exploring our past.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch
