American Teen Discovers 3,300-Year-Old Egyptian Scarab at Tel Gezer
A 17-year-old American student discovered a rare 3,300-year-old Egyptian scarab amulet at Tel Gezer National Park during his first study tour in Israel with JNF-USA.
Seventeen-year-old Shilo Eaton, a student at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel run by JNF-USA, made a remarkable discovery during a study tour at Tel Gezer National Park, managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. He unearthed a 3,300-year-old scarab amulet adorned with cobra motifs.
Eaton found the artifact during his very first group trip in the country. Together with his guide, Benji Hein, they promptly reported the unique find to the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). Following the report, Adam Asper, an IAA central region inspector, met with the group at the school, collected the item for the state collections, and presented Eaton with a certificate of appreciation for good citizenship.
Scarab amulets, which often served as seals, reflect the cultural influence of ancient Egypt in the region during its rule some 3,500 years ago. The ancient city of Gezer was one of the most important Canaanite cities in the Land of Israel at the time, controlling a strategic crossroads in the Shephelah.
The shape of the scarab is based on the dung beetle, considered sacred by the ancient Egyptians. The beetle symbolized new life because it rolled a ball of dung to lay its eggs, from which adult beetles later emerged. The ancient Egyptian name relates to the verb "to come into being" or "to take shape," and the Egyptians viewed it as a symbol of creation and renewal, associating it with the rising sun god Khepri.
A Chance Discovery on Day One
"This was our first trip in Israel; we arrived in the country just two days earlier. During the tour, right as we were discussing the history and archaeology of Tel Gezer, I noticed a small, interesting object on the ground that looked like something ancient. I picked it up and consulted my guide. I couldn't believe it was happening to me; a moment earlier we were talking about the low odds of finding such an artifact, and here it was in my hand," Eaton shared.
Benji Hein, the school tour guide, added: "The discovery caused great excitement among the students. Once we realized this might be an archaeological find of significance, it was important for us to immediately contact the Israel Antiquities Authority, report it, and ensure we acted correctly."
The amulet was examined by Prof. Ido Koch of the Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures at Tel Aviv University, who dated the seal to the Late Bronze Age (second millennium BCE). Prof. Koch noted: "An interesting scene appears on the scarab: two cobras above a half-oval. The cobra snake, identified with the biblical seraph and known in Egyptian and foreign languages as the 'Uraeus,' was an extremely common protective and royal symbol in ancient Egypt and the southern Levant. The half-oval beneath the cobras represents the Egyptian hieroglyphic sign 'nb' (basket), symbolizing the word 'lord.' A scarab featuring a similar scene—though with three snakes—was previously found in excavations at Tel Megiddo."
Fostering Connection Through Heritage
"Shilo's story is a charming example of the connection formed between young people who come to study in Israel and the country's history and archaeology through direct, firsthand experience in the field," said Amit Melman, director of the educational center for the IAA central region. "Shilo and the program guides deserve praise for showing responsibility and handing the find over to the state. Thanks to them, this special item is preserved, and we can all learn from it."
"Shilo, the son of a Jewish-American family, came to the country as part of an educational program at the Muss High School in Israel of JNF-USA to deepen his connection with Israel, its people, and its landscapes," said Tali Zur-Avner, JNF-USA Israel director. "Already on his first trip, he had the chance to experience the country on foot and encounter a piece of its history up close. There is something deeply moving about the moment when history studied in the classroom becomes a personal encounter right here in the country."
The Israel Antiquities Authority reminds the public that when discovering an archaeological find in the field, it should be left in place and reported immediately so that archaeologists can document the context.
