CLIP 5185

Share this page

Solving the Mystery of the Scarab Beetle

Solving the Mystery of the Scarab Beetle
Play
Key Info
  • Solving the Mystery of the Scarab Beetle
  • Duration: 3:21
  • The Book of the Dead contains 200 spells and rituals for burying the dead in the time of the Ancient Egyptians. Information about the scarab beetle is found in a chapter of the book called ‘Weighing the heart against the feather of truth’. The scarab was an amulet or lucky charm placed on the heart to protect it on its journey to the afterlife. The heart was the only organ left in a body when it was mummified. This was because it was believed that the heart stored the thoughts and memories of an individual that would be needed in the afterlife. That is why a scarab was found placed on the heart of Tutankhamun in his tomb. Using evidence gathered from various sources the final mystery about the scarab could be solved. This clip has subtitles available in Flash.
  • Subject:

    History

       Topic:

    Egyptians

  • Keywords: Pharaohs, Scarab, museum, heart mummification, Amulet, charm, spells, rituals, subtitled
Ideas for use in class
  • Can be used to support learning about the Ancient Egyptians. Also a great example of how evidence is used to answer questions and the skills required by a historian.
Background details
  • Clip language : English
  • Aspect ratio : 16x9
Video options
  • Location of Real Media clip:
  • Location of Windows Media clip:
  • Location of Flash Video clip:

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2012 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.