Ancient Treasure Unearthed by Toddler in Israel

In an astonishing turn of events, a young girl named Ziv Nitzan, while hiking with her family near Jerusalem, discovered a Bronze Age scarab amulet that had lain undiscovered for millennia. The discovery reflects the rich history of the region and continues a trend of children uncovering significant artifacts.

Ziv, aged three, was on a hiking trip with her family when she noticed a peculiar rock on a dirt trail roughly 25 miles from Jerusalem. It piqued her curiosity because "it had teeth on it," she explained in an interview that her mother interpreted. Intrigued, Ziv picked up the stone and wiped off the dirt, revealing an exquisite 3,800-year-old Egyptian amulet engraved with the image of a scarab, identified by the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Ziv’s discovery adds to a growing number of archaeological finds made by children in Israel, showcasing the country’s rich historical tapestry. Just last year, a 13-year-old boy found a Roman-era ring bearing the engraving of the goddess Minerva in Haifa, while in 2016, a seven-year-old discovered a well-preserved 3,400-year-old carving of a nude woman in the Beit She’an Valley. Additionally, many children have found coins from Roman or Hasmonean eras during their adventures, highlighting the wealth of history intertwined with the landscape of Israel.