It is the International Museum Day and I will seize this opportunity to share with one of the pieces from King Tutankhamun's beautiful collection in his old home at the Egyptian Museum of Cairo before he and his treasures are fully transferred to the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Is not it beautiful and amazing?
This amulet depicts the ancient Egyptian deity Khepri aka the scarab beetle.
It is made of gold, coloured, and it was encrusted with gemstones.
Its centre of attention, without a doubt, is the scarab beetle made of a yellow gemstone
Now, this yellow gemstone is making news nowadays in the world, as according to new research published in The Geology Journal, its source is a mineral called Reidite, which only forms when a meteor smashes into Earth.
According to what I understand, that yellow glass or gemstone was found in the Egyptian and Libyan desert, commonly known in Egypt as the "Western Desert"; it is called Libyan Desert Glass.
The new research published in the Geology Journal says that Libyan Desert Glass was formed about 29 million years ago when a meteorite smashed into the Earth in that Western desert.
Here is a close-up image of that stone and the amulet.
For me, it is very exciting and interesting because it is the second item in King Tut’s collection to have roots in space or rather, meteorites.
In 2016, Egyptian and Italian researchers found out the blade of King Tut’s golden dagger was made out of meteorite too.
Away from the Ancient Aliens crazy theories, I wonder if the Ancient Egyptians chose those items used in making the dagger or the glass scarab beetle accompanying the king in his eternal journey to the afterlife, knowing their unique source: a meteorite.
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| The amulet with the yellow glass scarab |
Is not it beautiful and amazing?
This amulet depicts the ancient Egyptian deity Khepri aka the scarab beetle.
It is made of gold, coloured, and it was encrusted with gemstones.
Its centre of attention, without a doubt, is the scarab beetle made of a yellow gemstone
Now, this yellow gemstone is making news nowadays in the world, as according to new research published in The Geology Journal, its source is a mineral called Reidite, which only forms when a meteor smashes into Earth.
According to what I understand, that yellow glass or gemstone was found in the Egyptian and Libyan desert, commonly known in Egypt as the "Western Desert"; it is called Libyan Desert Glass.
The new research published in the Geology Journal says that Libyan Desert Glass was formed about 29 million years ago when a meteorite smashed into the Earth in that Western desert.
Here is a close-up image of that stone and the amulet.
 |
| A slight close-up |
In 2016, Egyptian and Italian researchers found out the blade of King Tut’s golden dagger was made out of meteorite too.
 |
| Another excuse to publish the dagger's photo |
Away from the Ancient Aliens crazy theories, I wonder if the Ancient Egyptians chose those items used in making the dagger or the glass scarab beetle accompanying the king in his eternal journey to the afterlife, knowing their unique source: a meteorite.
Yes that is indeed Khepera, and flanking Him are the goddesses Wadjet and Nekhbet in uraeus form.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right - the stone for the amulet and the dagger were specifically chosen for their significance to the King's afterlife journey.