Fish symbols, nefer symbol, scarabs, amuletic seals

Scarabs. MBIIB-C (1750 - 1550 B.C.) from Lachish. Based on the dung-beetle, scarabs were first produced in Egypt in the 21st century as amuletic seals. They became immensely popular in the Levant, as ownership seals, jewelry or collectibles, and were extensively copied by Canaanite craftsmen who adapted the Egyptian motifs to suit their own aesthetic style. Although scarabs often bear hieroglyphs, in many instances these are used in a purely decorative way. Most scarabs found in the Levant are of steatite; one here is made of amethyst. WA1980-12-14, 12233-4, 12236, 12239