3, 800 years in the making: A small girl's big find

In a twist of fate, a young girl's curiosity led to a remarkable discovery in southern Israel. The girl, Ziv Nitzan, was just three years old when she stumbled upon a 3, 800-year-old treasure during a family trip to Tel Azekah. This site, located about 50 miles southeast of Tel Aviv, is a mound of ruins from various settlements built over centuries. It is a place rich in history and biblical significance. Ziv's sister, Omer, recalled the moment her sibling picked up a peculiar stone. "Ziv bent down and grabbed this one stone out of many. She rubbed it clean, and we noticed it was unique, " Omer shared. The family quickly realized they had found something special and alerted the Israel Antiquities Authority. The object in question was a scarab amulet, a small, intricately designed piece shaped like a dung beetle. This amulet is believed to have belonged to Canaanite communities from the Middle Bronze Age, roughly between 2100 to 1600 B. C. E. The Canaanites were an ancient Semitic people who lived in the Levant, a region that includes parts of modern-day Syria and Lebanon. This period was marked by a thriving Canaanite culture, and the amulet serves as a window into their beliefs and daily life. The scarab, considered sacred in ancient Egypt, symbolized new life and was often used as a seal or amulet. Daphna Ben-Tor, an expert in Egyptian archaeology, confirmed the amulet's origins. She noted that such objects were found in various settings, from graves to public buildings, and sometimes bore symbols or messages reflecting religious beliefs or social status. The discovery of this amulet adds to the growing list of Egyptian and Canaanite artifacts found at Tel Azekah, highlighting the cultural exchange between these ancient civilizations. Tel Azekah has been a site of ongoing archaeological excavations for nearly 15 years. Archaeologists have uncovered city walls and agricultural structures from the Judahite Kingdom, which existed during the Iron Age. The site's rich history continues to reveal more about the past, with each new find adding to the narrative of ancient life in the region. The scarab amulet, found by Ziv, is just one of many treasures that tell the story of a vibrant, interconnected world. The amulet will be showcased in a special exhibit by the Israel Antiquities Authority for Passover in mid-April. This exhibit will provide a glimpse into the past, allowing visitors to connect with the history and culture of the Canaanites and their Egyptian counterparts. The discovery of the scarab amulet is a testament to the enduring allure of archaeology and the surprises that await those who explore the past.