Amuletic Stone with a Protective Spell Invoking Isis in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2026

Title: Amuletic stone with a protective spell against scorpions

Period: Third Intermediate Period–Late Period

Date: ca. 1070–332 BCE

Medium: Limestone

Dimensions: H. 8 × W. 10.6 × D. 3 cm (3 1/8 × 4 3/16 × 1 3/16 in.)

Credit Line: Dodge Fund, 1947

Object No.: 47.105.5


Scorpions were part of everyday life in ancient Egypt. Their nature is to hide during the day and come out at night, habits that would have worried people. Ancient Egyptians therefore sought ways to prevent scorpion stings and treat them when they failed to avoid these venomous arachnids. Protection could come from eating a scorpion, drinking liquid poured over an image like a healing stela, or just recording a spell on a stone, as seen here.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/divine-egypt/exhibition-objects