Egyptian Culture Follows Israel

“The Israelites left Egypt; however, it seems that even years after their return, Egypt did not leave the Israelites and their descendants.” Speaking at a press conference, Amir Ganor, director of the Unit for the Prevention of Antiquities Robbery at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), referred to the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery under Pharaoh—and their subsequent Exodus from Egypt.

However, recent archaeological excavations conducted by the IAA in southern Israel “uncovered evidence from many years after the ‘Exodus’ which reflects the influence of Egyptian culture on the Judahite residents of the country,” explains Ganor.

The excavation yielded a rich treasure of unique archeological artifacts, including seals, seal rings, figurines and amulets in the image of Egyptian gods. This collection, says the IAA, attests to the existence of an Egyptian administrative center in the region some 3,400 years ago.

The artifacts uncovered are distinctive to the Jewish culture prevalent in the southern region of Israel during that period, explains Ganor. However, the excavation also yielded “dozens of stone seals, some of which are shaped in the form of a winged Beetle (scarabs) and bear carved symbols and images typical of the Egyptian culture.”

An examination of the artifacts reveals that some of the objects originated in Egypt and were fashioned using semi-precious stones from Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula. However, other artifacts were produced right here in Israel by copying Egyptian techniques and cultural designs and using indigenous raw materials.

The implication of this unique find is clear: it stands as proof that the culture of the Egyptian slave masters continued to live on in the nation of Israel many years after their arrival in the Promised Land.