The Gebel el-Arak Knife (also known as Jebel el-Arak Knife) is a remarkable artifact from the Naqada II period of Egyptian prehistory (around 3500—3200 BC), showcasing significant cultural exchange between ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. This ivory and flint knife is notable for its detailed carving, which provides insight into the artistic and symbolic practices of the time.

The knife was discovered in 1907 at the Gebel el-Arak site in Egypt, and it is thought to have had both practical and ceremonial uses. Its most distinctive feature is the carving on the ivory handle, which depicts scenes of a man, likely a ruler, engaging in a ritual combat with an enemy—an image that reflects the martial and ceremonial importance of the weapon. The artwork on the handle also portrays animals, including lions, which further suggests symbolic meanings related to power and dominance.

In addition to its artistic significance, the Gebel el-Arak Knife is important because of its Mesopotamian influences, particularly in the motifs and designs found on the blade. This points to a significant exchange of cultural ideas between the civilizations of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia during the early dynastic period. The presence of these foreign influences in such a prestigious Egyptian artifact reflects the interconnectedness of ancient cultures in the Near East.

Today, the Gebel el-Arak Knife is housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris, where it continues to be an important piece of evidence for understanding the early stages of Egyptian civilization and its relationships with neighboring regions.

The knife was purchased in 1914 in Cairo by Georges Aaron Bénédite for the Louvre, where it is now on display in the Sully wing, room 633. At the time of its purchase, the knife handle was alleged by the seller to have been found at the site of Gebel el-Arak, but it is today believed to come from Abydos.