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Heart Scarab Egyptian green stone Made during the 6th century B.C. Dimensions: 1" x 1 3/8" x 2" Gift of Ruth C. Loomis Museum ID Number: 73.81 |
Ancient Egyptians believed the sun was a big ball, which was rolled across the sky from east to west by the creator god Khepre. To the ancient Egyptians scarab beetles seemed to imitate this daily movement of the sun because they rolled balls of animal dung into their underground nests. Khepre was associated with resurrection and often represented as a scarab beetle. Because of their association with continued life, images of scarabs were incorporated into ancient Egyptian jewelry, furniture, textiles, and coffins. | |