Scarab Beetles

• Topic
• Special Education

Scarab Beetles

Scarab beetles are a type of beetle, also known as a Dung Beetle. 

The Ancient Egyptians workshipped this beetle. Why?

This type of beetle rolls other animals poop into a ball. Female beetles would lay their eggs in the poop balls. 

The Ancient Egyptians believed the ball represented the sun as well as the cycle of death and rebirth. 

The Ancient Egyptians linked the scarab beetles with the god Khepri. 

Khepri was a sun god who was thought to roll the sun over the horizon each day. 

They believed the god took the form of a beetle. 

The Ancient Egyptians would make amulates of the beetles for good luck.

Can you remember what amulets are?

They were often made out of stone or clay. They were sometimes decorated by jewels. 

Some amulets would have writing on. The writing would often be the names of leaders or religious figures. 

The beetle were also used in the coffins. It was thought that the beetle would help the dead get to the afterlife. 

Give me one fact about the Scarab beetle