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Ancient Egypt · c. 3100 BCE – 400 CE

Heart scarabs & heart amulets

Meaning

The heart (ib) was the seat of thought, memory and conscience. At the Weighing of the Heart it was placed on the scales against the feather of Maat, truth. The heart scarab carries chapter 30B of the Book of the Dead, which addresses the heart directly: 'O my heart of my mother… do not stand up as a witness against me.'

Intent

It was laid on the chest of the mummy, over the heart, so that at judgment the heart would stay silent about its owner's faults and the dead person would pass into the afterlife. The vase-shaped ib amulet protected and stood in for the heart itself, which was left in the body during mummification.

Significance

The heart scarab is the clearest example of an amulet that is also a legal document. It is a written plea, carried into court, to prevent self-incrimination. It shows how thoroughly Egyptians believed written words acted in the world, and many are inscribed for named individuals, which makes them personal historical records.

History

Heart scarabs first appear in the late Middle Kingdom (c. 1750 BCE), and the royal example of Sobekemsaf II is among the earliest. They were standard in New Kingdom burials, often in green or black stone and sometimes human-headed, and continued into the Late Period. Some were set in gold pectorals with wings or flanked by Isis and Nephthys.

Making yours
Larger than ordinary scarabs (4–10 cm), usually dark green or black stone. Base carries horizontal lines of hieroglyphs. Often set in a gold frame with a wire loop.
Ancient Egypt: the tradition

Amulets appear in Egyptian graves before writing, in the Badarian and Naqada cultures of the fifth and fourth millennia BCE, as shells, stones and simple animal shapes. With the Old Kingdom the repertoire grew into a systematic vocabulary of hieroglyph signs, gods and animals, and by the New Kingdom the Book of the Dead prescribed which amulet went where on the mummy. Mass production in faience from open moulds put them within reach of almost everyone. The Late and Ptolemaic periods (664–30 BCE) are the peak of variety, when a single mummy might carry dozens. The tradition outlived the pharaohs, feeding Graeco-Roman magical gems, Coptic Christianity and, through Phoenician traders, the whole Mediterranean. Flinders Petrie's 1914 catalogue counted 275 types.

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Heart AmuletHeart AmuletEgypt, Third Intermediate (1069–715 BCE) or later · 1069–715 BCEHeart Scarab of NeferHeart Scarab of NeferEgypt, New Kingdom (1540–1069 BCE), Dynasty 18 · 1540–1296 BCEHeart ScarabHeart ScarabEgypt, Probably a modern forgery · 1900–1913Amulet of a HeartAmulet of a HeartEgypt · New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (about 1550–1295 BCE)Heart amulet, blue-green glazed composition, Saft el-Henna, Egypt, Late PeriodHeart amulet, blue-green glazed composition, Saft el-Henna, Egypt, Late PeriodEgypt · 664 BC - 332 BCHeart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisHeart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisEgyptian New Kingdom · between 1292 and 1186 BC date QS:P571,-1500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-1292-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-1186-00-00T00:00:00Z/Group of 4 Amulets of Djedmutesankh: Cobra, Vulture, Heart, and Djed PillarGroup of 4 Amulets of Djedmutesankh: Cobra, Vulture, Heart, and Djed PillarEgyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –945 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynaHeart AmuletHeart AmuletPalace of Amenhotep III · circa 1390 date QS:P571,+1390-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1353 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign:Heart amuletHeart amuletEgyptian third intermediate period · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –664 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period or later DynaMotto Clasp of SithathoryunetMotto Clasp of SithathoryunetEgyptian 12th dynasty · circa 1887 date QS:P571,+1887-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1813 B.C. Period: Middle Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 12 ReiAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatAmulet in the Shape of a HeartAmulet in the Shape of a Heart664–30 B.C. Period: Late Period–Ptolemaic Period Dynasty: Dynasty 26–30Heart Scarab of KhayHeart Scarab of KhayEgyptian 17th dynasty · circa 1635 date QS:P571,+1635-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1458 B.C. Period: Second Intermediate Period–Early New KHeart ScarabHeart ScarabEgyptian 19th dynasty · circa 1295 date QS:P571,+1295-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1070 B.C. Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside Dynasty: DynastHeart Scarab with the Cartouche of AmenirdisHeart Scarab with the Cartouche of AmenirdisEgyptian 25th dynasty · circa 760–747 B.C. Period: Late Period, Kushite Dynasty: Dynasty 25 Reign: reign of KashtaAmulet, heartAmulet, heartEgyptian 18th dynasty · circa 1550 date QS:P571,+1550-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1295 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18Scarab, jewellery, skarabé from EgyptScarab, jewellery, skarabé from EgyptEgyptAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatHeart scarob of Nek MEHeart scarob of Nek MEEgyptian late period in the Museo Egizio (Turin)Heart Scarab of the Worker Amun-mesHeart Scarab of the Worker Amun-mesEgypt · New Kingdom, Dynasty 19, reign of Ramesses II (about 1279-1213 BCE)Heart Scarab of PakashaHeart Scarab of PakashaEgyptian New Kingdom · circa 1295 date QS:P571,+1295-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1070 B.C. Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside Dynasty: DynastHeart amulet of Painedjem IHeart amulet of Painedjem IEgyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1032 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatHeart Amulet of ManhataHeart Amulet of Manhatacirca 1479 date QS:P571,+1479-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1425 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18 Reign:Heart Scarab of KhayHeart Scarab of KhayEgyptian 17th dynasty · circa 1635 date QS:P571,+1635-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1458 B.C. Period: Second Intermediate Period–Early New KHeart AmuletHeart AmuletEgyptian 19th dynasty · circa 1295 date QS:P571,+1295-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1186 B.C. Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside Dynasty: DynastIb, heart amulet, jewellery, hjärtamulett amulet from EgyptIb, heart amulet, jewellery, hjärtamulett amulet from EgyptEgyptEpoca tarda, amuleto con il cuore ib, lapislazzuli (fi, museo egizio)Epoca tarda, amuleto con il cuore ib, lapislazzuli (fi, museo egizio)Heart ScarabHeart ScarabEgypt · New Kingdom, Dynasties 18–20 (about 1550–1069 BCE)Heart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisHeart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisEgyptian New Kingdom · between 1292 and 1186 BC date QS:P571,-1500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-1292-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-1186-00-00T00:00:00Z/Heart Scarab of GautsoshenHeart Scarab of GautsoshenEgyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –945 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynaAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 655 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0655-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatHeart Scarab of KhayHeart Scarab of KhayEgyptian 17th dynasty · circa 1635 date QS:P571,+1635-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1458 B.C. Period: Second Intermediate Period–Early New KIb, jewellery, heart, hjärta amulet from EgyptIb, jewellery, heart, hjärta amulet from EgyptEgyptHeart ScarabHeart ScarabEgypt · Third Intermediate–Late Period, Dynasty 21–26 (about 1069–664 BCE)Heart ScarabHeart ScarabEgyptian New Kingdom · circa 1295 date QS:P571,+1295-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1070 B.C. Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside Dynasty: DynastHeart Scarab of Henettawy (C)Heart Scarab of Henettawy (C)Egyptian 21st dynasty · circa 990–970 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: Dynasty 21Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatHeart Scarab of KhayHeart Scarab of KhayEgyptian 17th dynasty · circa 1635 date QS:P571,+1635-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1458 B.C. Period: Second Intermediate Period–Early New KIb, jewellery, heart amulet, hjärtamulett amulet from EgyptIb, jewellery, heart amulet, hjärtamulett amulet from EgyptEgyptAmulet of a HeartAmulet of a HeartEgypt · Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21–25 (1070–656 BCE)Heart Scarab of RamessesHeart Scarab of RamessesEgyptian New Kingdom · circa 1295 date QS:P571,+1295-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1070 B.C. Period: New Kingdom, Ramesside Dynasty: DynastGroup of 4 Amulets of Djedmutesankh: Cobra, Vulture, Heart, and Djed PillarGroup of 4 Amulets of Djedmutesankh: Cobra, Vulture, Heart, and Djed PillarEgyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –945 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynaAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatScarab, SkarabéScarab, SkarabéEgyptAmulet of a HeartAmulet of a HeartEgypt · New Kingdom (about 1550–1069 BCE)Heart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisHeart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisEgyptian New Kingdom · between 1292 and 1186 BC date QS:P571,-1500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-1292-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-1186-00-00T00:00:00Z/Heart Scarab of NesenasetHeart Scarab of NesenasetEgyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –945 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynaAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatScarab@eng, SkarabéScarab@eng, SkarabéEgyptAmulets of Hearts (2)Amulets of Hearts (2)Egypt · New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (about 1350 BCE)Heart amuletsHeart amuletsEgyptian New Kingdom · circa 1550 date QS:P571,+1550-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –1186 B.C. Period: New Kingdom Dynasty: Dynasty 18–19Heart (ib) from string of amuletsHeart (ib) from string of amuletsEgyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –945 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynaAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatScarab@eng, skarabé amulet from EgyptScarab@eng, skarabé amulet from EgyptEgyptAmulet of a HeartAmulet of a HeartEgypt · New Kingdom, Dynasty 18 (about 1350 BCE)Heart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisHeart Scarab with Deceased Adoring OsirisEgyptian New Kingdom · between 1292 and 1186 BC date QS:P571,-1500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-1292-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-1186-00-00T00:00:00Z/Heart AmuletHeart AmuletEgyptian 21st dynasty · circa 1070 date QS:P571,+1070-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1480,Q5727902 –945 B.C. Period: Third Intermediate Period Dynasty: DynaAmulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"Amulet depicting the heart title QS:P1476,en:"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Len,"Amulet depicting the heart " label QS:Lit,"Amuleto raffigurante il cuore"between 722 and 332 BC date QS:P,-0500-00-00T00:00:00Z/6,P1319,-0722-00-00T00:00:00Z/9,P1326,-0332-00-00T00:00:00Z/9 LatScarab@eng, SkarabéScarab@eng, SkarabéEgypt

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