Scarab Pectoral of Tutankhamun

This pectoral chest ornament from the tomb of Tutankhamun features a large scarab beetle carved from Libyan desert glass, flanked by cobras and topped with a lunar barque. The scarab holds the Eye of Horus between its front legs while its hind legs rest on a shen ring (symbol of eternity) and lily flowers. Gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and glass inlays create a riot of color.

The piece was found in the Treasury of Tutankhamun's tomb by Howard Carter's team in 1922. It's one of dozens of pectoral ornaments placed on and around the young king's mummy, each with layered religious symbolism. The scarab represents Khepri, the sun god at dawn, pushing the sun across the sky each morning.

The pectoral is displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza pyramids. The Libyan desert glass at its center, formed by a meteorite impact 26 million years ago, makes this one of the most scientifically interesting objects in the Tutankhamun collection.