Egyptian Scarabs

Andie Byrnes at Egyptology News has a good review of the book Egyptian Scarabs by Richard H. Wilkinson (Shire 2008).

Here is what she has to say about commemorative scarabs:

5. Commemorative scarabs

These are scarabs that were commissioned specially to celebrated specific occasions and which date to the New Kingdom, principally during the reign of Amenhotep III. They are an important source of historical information. Wilkinson gives examples of particular scarabs and classes of commemorative scarab. All consist of scarab amulets with hieroglyphic inscriptions on the bases, some texts quite short, others remarkably long. Wilkinson points out some gaps in knowledge. For example, why only some subjects appear to have been commemorated by Amenhotep III, and why commemorative scarabs do not appear to have been produced after the 11th year of Amenhotep's reign but were resumed under the reign of Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten). Wilkinson highlights the differences between scarabs of Amenhotep III and IV. None are known after the Amarna period.

Those who are interested in Egyptian history and Egyptian scarabs will enjoy Andie’s review.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary

Tags: Archaeology, Egyptian Scarabs