Toddler finds 3,800-year-old artifact while hiking with family

A three-year-old girl is being celebrated after discovering what she thought was an ordinary rock was a legitimate archaeological find.

Officials at the Israel Antiquities Authority shared that Ziv Nitzan, the toddler, discovered a 3,800-year-old scarab amulet while hiking with her family. 

Canaanite seal on a hiking trail 

The backstory:

While on a trip to Tel Azekah in early March, Ziv and her family were walking along a path when the girl picked up a stone.

"Out of all the stones around her, she picked up this particular stone," Omer Nitzan, Ziv’s sister, told the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Ziv then rubbed off the excess sand from the stone to reveal the intricate pattern beneath.

"I called my parents to come see the beautiful stone, and we realized we had discovered an archaeological find! We immediately reported this to the Israel Antiquities Authority," Omer said.

The seal was discovered at the foot of Tel Azekah, which used to be an important central point for a junction of roads, according to the site's official website.

Tel Azekah is also believed to be where the biblical battle between David and Goliath took place, the authority said. 

Ancient artifact

Dig deeper:

The seal was a Canaanite scarab from the Middle Bronze Age, according to Dr. Daphna Ben-Tor, an expert in ancient amulets and seals.

What they're saying:

"Scarabs were used in this period as seals and as amulets. They were found in graves, in public buildings and in private homes. Sometimes they bear symbols and messages that reflect religious beliefs or status," Ben-Tor said.

Researchers have been digging in this area for almost 15 years and Ziv’s discovery "joins a long list of Egyptian and Canaanite finds discovered here," Prof. Oded Lipschits, director of the Tel Aviv University archaeological dig, said. 

Special exhibit for the seal

What's next:

In addition to the certificate of appreciation awarded to Ziv, the seal will be displayed at a special exhibition set up by the authority at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in honor of Passover.

Ziv’s discovery will be displayed alongside other findings from the same era.