uncovering ancient Jerusalem
News

The 10th Century B.C.E. Scarab

Dig volunteers demonstrate the process of dry sifting and talk about what it’s like to work on the dig. At the end of October, workers in Area A uncovered a scarab beetle from the 10th Century, B.C.E. The scarab was used to seal letters and is of Egyptian design. Dr. Eilat Mazar theorizes, “We know King Solomon married an Egyptian princess. Was it hers?”

21 Comments

  1. Tamara Thomas says:

    Thank you very much for the video and its very exciting to see the work that y’all are doing. its interesting to thing what happened long ago that these small artifacts were presevered for y’all to find.God bless y’all. we hope that you all find much more.

  2. Hannah Bernardo says:

    Wow! How I wish I could work/volunteer out there! That would be a rewarding experience, physically and spiritually! Physical making all your senses work, and spiritual making you explore more the universe potential and keeping the royal vision alive. More power to God’s work! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. michelle says:

    Thank you for the video. It was neat to see the children working also. How exciting for them to unveil some of this history. I know my daughter would love to dig too. She is also 10yrs. old. I love that we can keep up with all that is going on in the dig. Thank you all and also special thanks to Dr. Mazar for letting us be involved in such a very special way. Keep up the great work everyone. What a find! Can’t wait to see what else we uncover over there.

  4. Sarah says:

    This is exciting stuff! So, that makes two Egyptian finds so far…right? The scarab and Bes. Once again, interesting to see the Egyptian influence on the Israelites. Perhaps through these finds we’re seeing the real cause of their destruction…?

    Thanks for sharing! ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Dan says:

    That’s great news…the scarab provides compelling evidence that you are excavating in an area that dates to the 900 to 1000 BC time frame. Also, it is nice to see you “cleaning house,” the area is looking so much cleaner and neater. It is wonderful to see this area being so carefully cleaned up and restored. My heart is with you all…

  6. Fascinating!
    That is really interesting to contemplate the Egyptian influence during Solomon’s time. Jerusalem would have been the nexus of a whole lot of foreign cultures, and the influence would have been going out–but surely some would have been coming in as well.
    Loved seeing the kids on the dig! Working even when they don’t want to! ๐Ÿ™‚ Keep it up, kiddos!

  7. chrysolite says:

    It is so exciting to see two scarabs used to seal soft clay on letters. It is just so wonderful to see physical evidence to prove man’s existence in ancient time.

  8. Alicia says:

    Another amazing find! Although the work is tedious, the rewards inspire us all. Thank you for all your hard work HWA college workers and Dr. Mazar.

  9. Michael says:

    Seems like probably one of the most interesting finds we have been shown so far! Noticed also that she mentioned there were other finds. That is very exciting news! So grateful for the updates!
    Must be exciting for the young ones too to be involved in something so important! A very fortunate experience for them that they will remember for a lifetime.

  10. Aubrey says:

    Fantastic! How exciting to know more corroborative finds are being exposed on this Dig! I look forward to more videos and more finds. Keep it up Dr. Mazar and Ophel Diggers!

  11. Madeleine says:

    Jerucrew – How wonderful!
    Getting back into the 10th Century is awesome. I can imagine that the stones will speak more and more in the near future.
    Thank you for revealing this to us first hand. ๐Ÿ™‚
    Thank-you Dr. Mazar.

  12. Ninos says:

    1000 BC! Time has stood still for these finds so they could be explained now!

    Congratulations Dr Mazaar! Your conviction beams and I really appreciate it.

  13. Donna says:

    It is truly inspiring seeing all your hard work over there and how process God is granting to be done. Thank you for keeping us updated.

  14. chrysolite says:

    It is really exciting! Scarabs, to seal soft clay on documents? It is possible that it belongs to that Egyptian princess, and might have used by King David and King Solomon, Wow! It is just so wonderful! Perhaps that princess also used the purification baths, and wore the Bes. She must have lean on that fragment of the Byzantine tower. My imagination just ran wild…

  15. Kishaw says:

    Fantastic video update. You are all in our prayers and it’s wonderful to see more artifacts being found. A 10th century Egyptian Scarab. Did it belong to King Solomon’s wife? How much of an Egyptian influence was there in Jerusalem at that time? Much food for thought. Thank you Dr Mazar for your enthusiasm and for sharing the extensive knowledge you have on the objects being found. Keep up the good work everyone!

  16. Calvin Atkinson says:

    And thank you for another very interesting update and explanation Miss Dattolo and Dr. Mazar. Keep whittling away!

  17. Kurt Simmons says:

    Thank you for the video and narrative explanation of the Egyptian scarab artifact. I find all of it interesting!

Leave A Reply