The ancient Egyptian scarab depicts the Egyptian dung beetle which is linked to the mythological death and rebirth of the sun god. The hieroglyphic sign represented by the dung beetle 𓆣 forms the ancient Egyptian verb “ḫpr” (Kheper) meaning “to come into being,”. The same sign also represents the deified morning sun -Khepri, who was thought to be reborn every morning in the form of the scarab beetle, bringing light and life to the land.
Rock crystal is a colourless, transparent form of quartz and is possibly known in ancient Egypt as “mnw -ḥḏ” (menew hedj) meaning “bright stone”. It is mainly quarried in the Western Desert between the Fayum and Bahariya Oasis and in Sinai. Gemstones such as rock crystals were used primarily in jewellery, amulets and decorative items and believed to carry religious significance and healing properties.
