Just two days after arriving in Israel, 17-year-old Shiloh Attoun set out on his first school excursion and returned with an unexpected discovery: a 3,300-year-old Egyptian amulet. The American high school student spotted the ancient scarab-shaped seal, decorated with two cobra symbols, lying on the ground during a visit to Tel Gezer in the Judean Lowlands. The rare artifact was subsequently transferred to Israel's national antiquities collection, and Attoun received a certificate of appreciation from the Israel Antiquities Authority.
Attoun, who is participating in Jewish National Fund-USA's Muss High School Israel educational program, made the discovery while his group was learning about the ancient Canaanite city's history. "As we were learning about Tel Gezer’s history and archaeology, I noticed a small, interesting object on the ground. It looked ancient," he recalled. "I picked it up and consulted my guide. I couldn't believe it was happening to me – a moment ago we were talking about the slim chances of ever discovering such a find, and here was one right in my hand!"
Attoun and Benji Hain, the school's dean of students, reported the discovery to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Archaeologist Adam William Asper subsequently visited the school, collected the artifact and presented the teenager with a certificate of appreciation. "This discovery sparked great excitement among the students," Hain said. "As soon as we realized that this might be a significant archaeological find, it was important for us to immediately contact the Israel Antiquities Authority, report it, and ensure that we were acting in the right way."
Professor Ido Koch of Tel Aviv University's Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures examined the amulet and dated it to the Late Bronze Age, approximately 3,300 years ago. According to Koch, the seal depicts two cobras above a semicircular Egyptian hieroglyph representing the word "lord." The cobra, known as the Uraeus, was a common symbol of royalty and protection in ancient Egypt and the southern Levant. A similar scarab featuring three snakes was previously discovered during excavations at Tel Megiddo.
The 3,300-year-old amulet discovered at Tel Gezer, depicting two cobras above a semicircular hieroglyph
(Photo: Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority)
The scarab-shaped seal, modeled on a dung beetle, a symbol of rebirth in ancient Egyptian belief
(Photo: Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority)
Scarab amulets, sometimes used as seals, were shaped like dung beetles, creatures considered sacred in ancient Egyptian culture. The beetle symbolized creation and rebirth because it rolled balls of dung in which it laid its eggs, from which new life eventually emerged. The Egyptians associated the insect with Khepri, the god of the rising sun. Such artifacts also reflect Egypt's cultural influence over the region during its rule thousands of years ago. Tel Gezer was one of the most important Canaanite cities of that period, controlling a strategic crossroads in the Judean Lowlands.
The ancient Egyptian amulet
(Photo: JNF-USA)
Tali Tzour Avner, Jewish National Fund-USA's director in Israel, said Attoun, who comes from a Jewish-American family, had joined the educational program to deepen his connection with Israel. "There is something exciting about the moment here in Israel when the history studied in class becomes a personal encounter," she said, adding that the program aims to help young participants develop a sense of belonging through direct experiences with the country's history and landscapes.
From right: Dr. Steve Kutno, director of Alexander Muss High School in Israel, Shiloh Attoun and Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Adam Asper
(Photo: JNF-USA)
Amit Melman, the Israel Antiquities Authority's Central Region educational director, praised Attoun and his instructors for reporting the discovery. "Shiloh's story is a charming example of the connection forged between the young people who come to study in Israel and the country's history and archaeology, through firsthand experience in the field," he said. The authority reminded the public that archaeological discoveries should be left undisturbed and reported immediately so experts can document their original context and preserve valuable historical information.