The scarab (length 1.7 cm, width 0.25 cm, thickness 0.5 cm; Fig. 2) is made of ivory and the image of a walking lion is carved on its face. An object decorated on the inside with an incised net pattern is discerned below the lion’s chin; this is probably an insignificant mark used by the artist to fill the space.
The scarab is dated to Middle Bronze Age IIB, based on its style. The lion motif is a common design on scarabs of the Bronze Age. It appears on Canaanite scarabs of the early phases of the Middle Bronze Age and was probably initially influenced by the cylinder seals from Syria. Examples of lions portrayed on scarabs have been found at Jericho (Group III), Tell el-Far‘a (South), Lachish, Gezer and Tell el-Ajjul.
Although the scarab was not found in any archaeological context, it further evinces the relations and cultural influence between the Land of Israel and Egypt during this period.