Scarabs were popular amulets in ancient Egypt and made in large numbers and varieties. They were either carved from natural stone, most often soft soapstone (steatite) or alternatively molded in clay and baked/glazed. The flat bottom is usually inscribed with hieroglyphs or other symbols, excellent sources of information for archeologists and historians studying the ancient culture of Egypt. Besides as jewelry or for their ethereal aspect, they were also used as seals. Why the scarab beetle was the stereotype animal for scarabs is not clear. Their size may range from 10 to 40 mm. The specimen here shown has a length of 18 mm and is carved in steatite.