Scarab at The British Museum, London

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The scarab beetle, commonly referred to as a 'dung' beetle, remains one of the most enduring symbols of ancient Egypt, embodying rebirth and closely tied to the rising sun. This colossal sculpture of a scarab is crafted from an oval block of green diorite stone, nearly black in color due to its dark tone: its surface features numerous pitted scars that give it a gleaming appearance. The block measures one and a half metres long, about a metre wide, and stands at a metre high. The beetle is carved from the top third of the block, as if sitting atop a plinth. This sculpture stands out as one of the largest known representations of a scarab in existence. It is believed to originate from the Ptolemaic period - spanning 305-30 BC - but could potentially be earlier. The sculpture may have once been situated within an Egyptian temple, however it was discovered in Constantinople - modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. It's possible that it was transported there following Constantinople's ascension as the capital of the Roman Empire in AD 330. The sculpture was acquired by Lord Elgin during the nineteenth century. Height: 91.5 cm (max) Length: 152.5 cm (max) This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, which aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access at no cost. Scan the World is an open-source community effort, where individuals can contribute interesting items in their vicinity by emailing stw@myminifactory.com to learn how they can assist.