Scarab of Amenhotep III

Author(s): C. Zarnoch, E. Sullivan

Description: This sculpture portrays a colossal scarab beetle, an insect associated with the young sun god Khepri. The scarab is perched atop an oval red granite plinth. The plinth is decorated with a lightly inscribed sunk relief scene of a kneeling Amenhotep III offering to Khepri who is seated on a low throne. A winged solar disk extends over their heads.

Provenance: The piece was originally located at Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple on the west bank of Thebes. It was later moved (probably by Taharqo, 690-664 BCE) to a location near the northwest corner of the Sacred Lake at Karnak.
Person: Scarab, from the reign of Amenhotep III
Date: Dynasty 18, New Kingdom (1390-1352 BCE)
Material: Red granite
Functional Comments:
Dimensions: Unknown
Current Location: In situ at Karnak Temple

Bibliography:

Blyth, E. (2006). Karnak: evolution of a temple. London, Routledge. pp. 111.

Porter, B. and R. Moss (1929). Topographical bibliography of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic texts, reliefs, and paintings: The Theban temples. Oxford, Clarendon Press. pp. 73.