The Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Tuesday that a 17-year-old American student discovered a 3,300-year-old Egyptian amulet while on a school trip to Israel. Shiloh Attoun, a participant in the Jewish National Fund-USA’s Muss High School study-abroad program, made the find during a visit to Tel Gezer National Park in the Judean lowlands. It was his first time in the country, having arrived just two days prior to the discovery.
Attoun was walking up a mountain toward an altar with Benji Hain, the program's dean of students, when he noticed a small, spherical object on the ground. He had been throwing rocks in boredom when one struck another, revealing a shiny item. Attoun described the moment in a video distributed by JNF-USA, stating, "I was like, 'Ooh, look at this!' So I picked it up and flipped it over, and I saw two faces of what looked like a [Hebrew letter] Nun."
He brought the object to Hain, who recognized its potential significance. "Could this be cool?" Attoun asked, prompting Hain to exclaim, "Oh my god, you don't understand what you found," before beginning to jump with excitement. The pair immediately reported the discovery to the IAA, ensuring the artifact was handled responsibly.
Archaeologist Adam William Asper from the IAA visited the school to collect the item for the National Treasures of Israel. In recognition of the student's careful handling and prompt reporting, Attoun received a certificate of appreciation from the authority. Hain and the program instructors were also praised for their quick actions, which helped preserve the find for future study.
Prof. Ido Koch of Tel Aviv University’s Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures examined the object and dated it to the Late Bronze Age. The amulet is a scarab, a seal shaped like a dung beetle, decorated with two cobra motifs. Koch explained that the cobras, known as the uraeus, were widespread protective and royal symbols in ancient Egypt and the southern Levant.
The scarab also features a semi-ellipse, which represents the Egyptian hieroglyphic sign "nb," meaning "lord." Koch noted that a similar scarab depicting three snakes was previously found during excavations at Tel Megiddo. These artifacts reflect the cultural influence of ancient Egypt over the region during its period of rule over Canaan, which occurred approximately 3,500 years ago.
In ancient Egyptian culture, the scarab beetle was considered sacred and a symbol of new life. The Egyptians observed the beetle rolling a ball of dung and laying eggs inside it, from which new life emerged. The name for the beetle is derived from a verb meaning "to be formed" or "to come into being," as the insect was seen as an incarnation of the god who creates life.
Tel Gezer, where the amulet was found, was one of the most significant Canaanite cities during the Late Bronze Age. It controlled a strategic crossroads in the Shephelah region and is now a national park managed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The site remains an important location for understanding the historical dynamics of the region.
Amit Melman, the IAA’s Central Region educational director, described Attoun’s discovery as a charming example of the connection between young students and the country's history. "Shiloh’s story is a charming example of the connection forged between the young people who come to study in Israel and the country’s history and archaeology, through firsthand experience in the field," Melman said.
The IAA emphasized that while the discovery was fortuitous, archaeological objects found in the field should generally be left in place and reported immediately. This practice allows archaeologists to document the original context of the find, preserving information that might otherwise be lost. Attoun’s case serves as a model for how responsible reporting can lead to the preservation of national heritage.
