US Student Discovers 3,300-Year-Old Egyptian Amulet in Israel

A 17-year-old American student, Shilo Aton, on a tour in Tel Gezer, Israel, has discovered an ancient Egyptian amulet dating back approximately 3,300 years. Aton, who is studying at the International School of the Jewish National Fund's American branch, found the scarab amulet during his first excursion in Israel, just two days after arriving.

Upon finding the artifact, Aton and his tour guide, Benji Hein, immediately contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority. Authority representative Adam Aspar responded by visiting the school and presenting Aton with a certificate of appreciation.

The scarab amulet, often used as a seal, signifies Egyptian influence in the region during the 15th century BCE when Canaan was an Egyptian province under Pharaoh Thutmose III. Tel Gezer was a significant city controlling strategic routes during that era. The scarab held sacred meaning for Egyptians, symbolizing the sun and its life-giving power, akin to the beetle rolling a dung ball to foster new life.

Aton described his surprise, stating, "It was our first excursion in Israel... when I saw a small object on the ground, which I thought was ancient. I didn't believe it was happening to me." He noted that they had just been discussing the low probability of such a find.

Professor Ido Koch from Tel Aviv University's archaeology department dated the amulet and identified unusual markings: two cobras and half an ellipse forming the symbols NB, meaning "lord." The cobra, or uraeus, was a symbol of royal power, often depicted on pharaohs' headdresses and considered a potent protective charm, embodying the goddess Wadjet, protector of Lower Egypt. The amulet's imagery was believed to possess magical protective qualities.