Netert Mudat Egyptian Scarab Map

The Netert Mudat Scarab is an Ancient Egyptian map carved into the face of a scarab, and believed to be one of the oldest-known maps of Ancient Egypt. Netert Mudat is an Egyptian phrase which means "10 Goddesses", referring to the ten cities it shows which are related to the worship of Egyptian female deities.
The scarab measures 18 X 11 X 9 mm and features the course of the Nile River as it generally flows through Egypt, starting at the southern border near Aswan and Elephantine and branching at the top into the Nile Delta region. It also includes representations of ten cities along the Nile which house centers of worship for various Egyptian Goddesses.
Locations on the map
The various cities have been initially identified by Egyptologists as Heliopolis, Memphis, Thebes, Nekheb, Aswan, Sehel, Letopolis, Hermopolis, Abydos, and Dendera.
Each of these cities corresponds to a cult center or temple dedicated to the worship of a female goddess of the Egyptian pantheon and are believed to represent Nephthys, Neith, Mut, Nekhbet, Satis, Anuket, Nut, Tefnut, Isis, and Hathor.
Age
The steatite scarab map is thought to have been crafted during the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt and dates sometimes from 1782-1570 BC, making this over 3,600 years old. It is believed to be 450 years older than the second-oldest map of Ancient Egypt, the Turin Papyrus Map.
Features
Among one of the more interesting features is the placement of Memphis on the east bank of the Nile River, shown as the second symbol down on the right. It corresponds to the Gardiner's sign list R24 hieroglyphic symbol of two bows tied horizontally, representing the Egyptian goddess Neith who had a sanctuary place of worship in Memphis during this time period. R24<hiero>R24</hiero>
The location of this ancient city is to the west of the Nile today, but 3,500 years ago it was on the east bank. Paleochannel mapping and historical accounts have indicated the Nile has shifted over time, at one point moving across the entire city area. Its archaic location on the scarab lends confirmation to the authenticity of the artifact and additionally helps determine the time period in which it was carved.
History
Though the exact provenance is unknown, it is believed to have been excavated in the late 19th century in Memphis or other areas which were under Hyksos control during the Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt, such as Avaris (Tel el-Daba).
While it was already a known scarab, the archaeological and historical significance remained unnoticed for some time. Having recently passed from a collector in London, it appeared in the portfolio of a licensed Association of International Antiquities Dealer in Dubai in 2020, and was acquired by an anonymous American Egyptology researcher who recognized its importance as a priceless artifact and now has plans to make it available for public view and academic study.
Ancient Mold Spores
During a microscopic examination for authenticity at UCLA, the scarab hole was found to contain numerous Aspergillus mold spores which appear to have grown from organic debris left within the hole from the string or cord used to thread the scarab in antiquity. The particular strain of spore has been found in a number of Egyptian tombs and artifacts and is one theory behind the supposed "curse of the mummy" and mysterious deaths of some early tomb explorers.

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