Toddler Finds 3,800-Year-Old Artefact in Israel on Family Trip

During a casual family trip in Israel, a toddler unexpectedly discovered a 3,800-year-old artefact, capturing the attention of archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike. The remarkable find offers new insights into ancient civilizations and highlights how chance encounters can lead to significant historical revelations. Authorities praised the family for reporting the discovery promptly, allowing experts to study and preserve the artefact. This surprising moment has become a fascinating example of how history can be uncovered in everyday life.

Curiosity is one of the most natural parts of growing up - a gateway to discovery. Curiosity is an essential part of childhood and often leads to fascinating discoveries.

In Israel, a three-and-a-half-year-old girl stumbled upon an ancient artefact - nearly 3,800 years old - during a family outing. In Israel, a 3.5-year-old girl unexpectedly found a 3,800-year-old historical object while on a trip with her family.

On April 1, 2025, the Israel Antiquities Authority -  the government body responsible for preserving and studying the country’s archaeological heritage -  shared the news on its official Facebook page. The discovery was publicly announced on April 1, 2025, through a Facebook post by the Israel Antiquities Authority, the agency overseeing archaeological preservation in Israel.

The post reads: "A little girl discovered a 3,800-year-old Canaanite seal on a family trip near Beit Shemesh. Early this past March, during a family trip to Tel Azekah, near Beit Shemesh, 3.5-year-old Ziv Nitzan from Moshav Ramot Meir found an ancient scarab amulet, about 3,800 years old."  According to the post, three-year-old Ziv Nitzan from Moshav Ramot Meir found an ancient scarab amulet- believed to be 3,800 years old - while on a family trip to Tel Azekah, close to Beit Shemesh, earlier in March.

During a family visit to Tel Azekah - a renowned archaeological site in the Shephelah region of Israel -  young Ziv Nitzan came across a rare artefact. While visiting Tel Azekah, a well-known archaeological area in Israel’s Shephelah region, little Ziv made an unusual and rare discovery.

As she explored the path with her family, she picked up what looked like an ordinary stone. While walking along a trail with her family, she noticed what appeared to be just another stone.

But after brushing off the sand, Ziv uncovered an ancient scarab amulet believed to be around 3,800 years old. However, after removing the sand from it, she revealed an ancient scarab amulet estimated to date back nearly 3,800 years.

“Out of the 7,000 stones around her, she picked up one. Then she brushed off the sand and saw that something was different about it,” said Omer Nitzan, Ziv’s elder sister, in a translated video.  Ziv’s older sister, Omer, shared in a translated video that “she chose one stone out of thousands, cleaned it off, and sensed something unusual about it.”

“When she rubbed off the sand, we realised it wasn’t just a stone. I called my parents to come and look - and we realised we’d stumbled upon an archaeological find.”  Omer added that once the sand was cleared, they noticed it was no ordinary rock. She called their parents, and they all soon understood it was an important archaeological object. Tel Azekah, where the scarab was found, has been a site of ongoing excavation for around 15 years. The location where the scarab was discovered, Tel Azekah, has been under active excavation for approximately 15 years.

Not only is it rich in historical significance, but it is also famously mentioned in the biblical story of David and Goliath, as told in the First Book of Samuel.  This site is not only archaeologically important but also mentioned in the Bible - specifically in the story of David and Goliath from the First Book of Samuel. Dr Daphna Ben-Tor, a specialist in ancient amulets and seals, identified the object as a Canaanite scarab from the Middle Bronze Age. Expert Dr. Daphna Ben-Tor, who specializes in ancient amulets and seals, confirmed that the item is a Canaanite scarab from the Middle Bronze Age. She explained that such scarabs were typically used as seals and worn as amulets. She noted that scarabs like this were often worn as amulets and functioned as personal seals.

They are often discovered in graves, public buildings, or private homes. These objects are commonly found in burial sites, residences, and public structures. Canaanite scarabs frequently carry symbols or inscriptions that reflect religious beliefs or social status. Scarabs from the Canaanite era typically feature markings or designs indicating religious or societal meanings. Dr Ben-Tor added that the scarab beetle held deep symbolic meaning in ancient Egypt, representing renewal and creation. She also pointed out that in ancient Egyptian culture, scarab beetles symbolized rebirth and the process of creation.

The Egyptian word for scarab is derived from the verb “to come into being,” and scarabs were often associated with divine incarnation. The term for scarab in Egyptian is linked to the verb meaning “to come into being,” underscoring their spiritual connection to divine emergence. Over the years, Tel Azekah has yielded numerous archaeological treasures, including city walls and agricultural installations from the Judahite Kingdom. Tel Azekah has produced many archaeological findings over time, such as defensive walls and farming infrastructure from the ancient Kingdom of Judah. Professor Oded Lipschits, director at Tel Aviv University, said, “Excavation findings show that during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages, Tel Azekah was one of the most significant cities in the Judean lowlands.” According to Professor Oded Lipschits from Tel Aviv University, digs at the site confirm that Tel Azekah was a major urban center in the Judean lowlands during the Middle and Late Bronze Ages.

“The scarab found by Ziv adds to the growing list of Egyptian and Canaanite discoveries here, providing further evidence of the close cultural ties between Canaan and Egypt during that era,” he added.  He further stated that Ziv’s discovery supports existing evidence of strong cultural connections between ancient Egypt and Canaan during that historical period. In recognition of her accidental but remarkable contribution, Ziv Nitzan was awarded a certificate of excellence for good citizenship. To honor her unexpected yet significant find, Ziv was presented with a certificate acknowledging her exemplary civic behavior.

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Source: business standard‍