Ancient Egyptian Amulet Found in Israeli City

In the ancient city of Jaffa, which is located in Tel Aviv, an Egyptian scarab amulet bearing the cartouche of Amenhotep III has been uncovered. Scarabs were a common symbol during ancient Egyptian times that represented the journey of the sun across the sky, as well as the cycle of life.  In this article, you will learn more about this discovery, as well as more on the infamous ruler of ancient Egypt.

Along with the amulet, the mud brick architecture and pottery of the site highlights some of the influence that the Egyptians had on the region. The scarab is a rare find and allows researchers to investigate the ancient Egyptian presence that survived in a modern Israeli city. Archeologists have been finding proof of Egypt’s influence in the city for some time now. New information learned includes the existence of a gateway belonging to an Egyptian fortification in Jaffa that was destroyed and then reconstructed at least four different times.

Since the 2nd millennium BC, Jaffa was a location where major trading took place. Early excavations in the 1950s, the Egyptian fortification was uncovered. This activity dated back to the dynasty of Ramses II between 1279 and 1213 BC.
 
Who was Amenhotep III?

Amenhotep III (often called Amenhotep the Magnificent) served as the ninth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty during ancient Egyptian times. According to different accounts, the pharaoh ruled Egypt somewhere between 1386 and 1351 following the death of his father Thutmose IV. During his reign, the Egyptians enjoyed a period of prosperity and cultural advancements like never before. It was under his guidance that Egypt achieved the peak of their international power and artistic output. When he died, his son Amentotep IV took over, but later changed his royal name to Akhenaten. This event most likely took place during the 39th year of his reign.

Amenhotep III had a reputation of taking foreign women as his wives, including the daughters of the king of Babylon, the daughter of the ruler of Ammia (present-day Syria), and the daughter of the ruler of Arzawa. Out of all the pharaohs of Egypt, Amenhotep III is unique because he has the most surviving statues of any ruler of his time. There are more than 250 of his statues that have already been discovered and identified. The statues were made throughout his entire life and provide a revealed look at the leader across the length of his entire reign.

During the reign of Amenhotep III, more than 200 large commemorative stone scarabs were made to highlight the achievements of the leader. The inscriptions further shed light on the importance of the pharaoh.