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Amulet: E.105.1898

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Current Location: Gallery 20

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Description

Faience scorpion, probably part of a necklace as a protective amulet (charm). the head and tail are missing but there is a hole through the centre. One of several found in this temple deposit and possibly a reference to the 'Scorpion King' who ruled before Narmer (the first king whose name we know). Scorpions were also believed to protect as well as threaten. Here, in a royal context it seems more likely that the animal protected the king because of its close association with early Egyptian royalty. Faience is a glazed crushed quartz.

Measurements and weight

Length: 2.2 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1898) by Egyptian Research Account

Dating

Predynastic
Early Dynastic Period
About -3000 - About -2500

Materials used in production

Faïence

Techniques used in production

Mouldmade

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: E.105.1898
Primary reference Number: 49662
Oldadmincategory: FG

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Friday 18 July 2025

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Antiquities

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2025) "Amulet" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/49662 Accessed: 2025-12-09 06:25:46

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{{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/49662 |title=Amulet |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2025-12-09 06:25:46|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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