A 3½-year-old child in Israel recently made a significant archaeological discovery while hiking with her family. Ziv Nitzan found a small rock along a dirt trail approximately 25 miles outside of Jerusalem, which she was drawn to because it had “teeth” on it, according to her mother.
Upon cleaning the rock, Ziv and her mother discovered that it was a 3,800-year-old Egyptian amulet, engraved with a design of a scarab, dating back to the Bronze Age. The Israel Antiquities Authority later collected the artifact.
This incident is not unique, as Israel has a rich archaeological history that has seen young hikers uncovering treasures before. Last year, a 13-year-old boy found a Roman-era ring engraved with the goddess Minerva, and in 2016, a 7-year-old discovered a well-preserved carving of a nude woman in the Beit She’an Valley. Various children have also unearthed coins from the Roman and Hasmonean periods.
Ziv is noted as the youngest known individual to have discovered an ancient artifact in Israel, according to a spokeswoman for the antiquities authority, who described the find as “very exciting.” The amulet was located near Tel Azekah, an archaeological site linked to the biblical battle between David and Goliath.
Experts believe the amulet likely belonged to the Canaanites, who inhabited the region around 1800 B.C. and had a fascination with Egyptian culture, often importing or imitating their luxury items. Scarabs were particularly popular as talismans, symbolizing rebirth, as the insects lay their eggs in dung balls.
The amulet, likely created in Egypt, is thought to have made its way to modern-day Israel approximately 3,800 years ago. The presence of such artifacts on the surface today can be attributed to excavation practices from 1898, when British archaeologists unearthed the site and subsequently filled in the excavated areas for farming.
Children are often effective amateur archaeologists due to their curiosity and willingness to explore, making discoveries like Ziv's possible. Although the amulet itself is not unique, as many similar scarabs have been found, the significance lies in its preservation and public display, facilitated by the family’s decision to hand it over to the authorities.
In recognition of her actions, Ziv received a certificate of appreciation for “good citizenship.” The amulet will be featured in an upcoming exhibition of Canaanite and Egyptian artifacts at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem.