The Scarab artifacts of Ancient Egypt, based upon the Scarabaeidae family dung beetle, was the most popular amulet of ancient Egypt. In the ancient Egyption mythos, the sun (Ra) rolls across the sky each day and transforms bodies and souls. The dung beetle's rolling of dung into a ball for the purposes of laying eggs (which would be later transformed into larva) was seen as an earthly symbol of this heavenly cycle.

This came to be iconographic, and ideological symbols were incorporated into Ancient Egyptian society. Through different time periods, about 3000 years, the use of the scarab artifacts became many and varied. As amulets, and a flat surface on the bottom (as a similar artifact of a paper weight), it became a surface with other utilitarian purposes.

Other nations and regions, especially in the Levant, even came to reproduce Egyptian styles, or to adapt their use to their own gods or personal uses. They were also found as grave goods, amulets, talismans, jewelry types, or gifts of affection. The scarab as an artifact with Egyptian language details of its – presenter, recipient, or pharaonic timeframe, has become one of the instruments for piecing together information of a pharaonic reign, or dynastic relationships.

Other items with a similar piece of a puzzle understanding in timelines are, graffitos, door jamb-(or other) minor inscriptions, labels from tomb offerings, ushabtis, etc. Beginning in the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, memorializing scarabs became common. They were often incorporated into tombs, as grave goods, or given as 'gifts'.

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