Faience
relief
plaque
of
a
scorpion,
Eastern
Cemetery
Kerma
(Kerma
Classique
period
2050-1750
BC).
This
plaque,
decorated
with
a
scorpion
moulded
in
high
relief,
was
placed
along
with
another,
on
the
stomach
of
a
sacrificed
individual
buried
in
tumulus
K
X.
Other
than
the
suspension
hole
at
the
top,
repair
holes
are
noted
on
either
side
of
a
break
near
the
first
segment
of
the
tail,
which
is
curved
in
the
opposite
direction
on
the
second
example.
These
plaques,
possibly
sewn
on
clothing
facing
downwards,
most
certainly
had
prophylactic
properties.
Scorpions
may
have
played
a
special
role
in
relation
to
a
cult,
as
demonstrated
by
fragments
of
two
extremely
large
quartz
sculptures
discovered
in
the
spoil
heaps
of
royal
tumulus
KIII.
These
were
found
together
with
other
fragmentary
animal
sculptures
of
quartz,
including
a
ram's
head,
a
crocodile
and
a
falcon.