Heart Scarab

Unknown

ca. 1070–332 B.C. · Slate · Egyptian Art

Found with later intrusive burials in a Middle Kingdom tomb, this heart scarab was crudely inscribed with a portion of Spell 30 from the Book of the Dead, asking the heart not to bear witness against the deceased during the judgement before the god of the dead, Osiris. The lower part of the scarab is broken away so the name of the owner is missing. The scarab was pierced for stringing.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1070–332 B.C.

Medium

Slate

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund, 1926