The Dead Sea Scrolls
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Students from Talmud Torah of St. Paul marvel over scroll fragments during a recent visit to The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The exhibition, which closes on October 24, provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Science Museum visitors to witness the first written record of the Bible. For more information about catching The Dead Sea Scrolls before it closes for good, visitors can log on to www.smm.org.

"Scroll" Jar and Lid
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. Pictured here is a "scroll" jar and lid dating back to 100 BCE - 70 CE. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

Cave 4 above Qumran
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Excavations of the caves above the ancient settlement of Qumran yielded thousands of Dead Sea Scroll fragments. This particular cave, Cave 4, held approximately 500 manuscripts that were discovered by Bedouin shepherds in 1952. The scrolls stored here were placed on the floor or on wooden shelves, and the complete fragmentation of these fragile documents made it difficult to reassemble all the pieces. Visitors to The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, which continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010, will learn about the science of the scrolls' discovery, as well as the theories as to who their authors were.

Image courtesy of Ed Fleming.

Scroll Jars
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The shepherd who found the first scrolls in the caves near Qumran reported that some were placed inside cylindrical-shaped clay jars like these with lids. Visitors to The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, which continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010, will see jars like these, as well as other authentic artifacts that paint a picture of life in Israel around the time that the scrolls were written 2000 years ago.

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Genesis 4Q-6-273
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This scroll fragment from the book of Genesis will appear in The Dead Sea Scrolls, which continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010. This particular fragment will be part of the third set of five scrolls. This fragment depicts Genesis 48: 8-10, which describes the patriarch Jacob and his blessing of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Below is a translation of an excerpt of this fragment:

And Israel beheld Joseph's sons, and said, "Who are these?" And Joseph said unto his father, "They are my sons, whom God hath given me here." And he said, "Bring them, I pray thee, unto me, and I will bless them."

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Community Rule 4Q-256-905
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The Community Rule scroll, or the Manual of Discipline, contains a set of rules by which the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls conducted their lives. It gives us a glimpse into their way of life and world view. The fragment pictured here will be featured in the third set of five scrolls displayed in The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, which continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010.

Fragments of the Community Rule scroll, dated to the first century BCE, were found in Cave 4. A complete copy was discovered in Cave 1, and additional copies were recovered from other caves. The large number of copies of this document signifies its importance among the members of the group.

In this particular fragment, the author sets out the times assigned to praise the Lord and includes a poetic description of the division of the year into seasons and festivals:

"...heavenly lights from the abode of His holiness and at their retiring to the dwelling of glory; at the commencement of the seasons on the days of the new moon, as well as at their turnings, when one hands over to the other (when they are renewed it is a great day for the Holy of Holies, and a sign that the everlasting mercies will be opened at the beginning of the seasons for all time to come)."

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Isaiah 4Q-58-236
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Approximately 19 different copies of the book of Isaiah were recovered from the caves, including a complete scroll (66 chapters) in cave 1. This is an indication of the book's popularity among the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

This fragment, from chapter 54 of Isaiah, will be on display during the Science Museum of Minnesota's The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, which continues through October 24, 2010. It will be included in the first set of five scrolls to be displayed. Below is a translation of an excerpt of this fragment, in which the prophet compares Jerusalem to a barren widow who will be redeemed of her shame:

"Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail; for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations, spare not; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen they stakes."

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Damascus Document 4Q-266-688
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The Damascus Document is a sectarian text that lists statutes dealing with vows and oaths, the tribunal, witnesses and judges, purification or water, Sabbath laws, and ritual cleanliness. This particular fragment, which will be on display during the Science Museum of Minnesota's The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, was recovered from Cave 4 outside of Qumran. It is believed to be the earliest of the eight fragments of the Damascus Covenant that were discovered there.

This fragment, which will be on display with the exhibition's first set of five scrolls, is from the first page of the scrolls and was only partially preserved. It includes a preamble to the text and contains the following translation:

"God will destroy all her works, bringing ruin upon the errant in spirit, those who move boundaries, and he will wreak ruin upon those who work wickedness. And now hearken unto me, and I will make known to you the awful devices of God and his mighty wonders..."

The Dead Sea Scrolls continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010.

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Inkwell
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Inkwells like this one were recovered from the ancient settlement of Qumran, suggesting that some kind of writing happened there when it was inhabited. Did Qumran house the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls? Visitors to the Science Museum of Minnesota will have the opportunity to decide what they think when they visit The Dead Sea Scrolls, at the museum through October 24, 2010. They'll see authentic artifacts like this, which held ink made of black soot, oil, resin and water, and examine evidence that scholars have been studying and debating for decades in an effort to unravel the mystery of the origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Ossuary
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Visitors to The Dead Sea Scrolls at the Science Museum of Minnesota will not only witness scrolls that are considered the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century. They'll also see artifacts that help paint a picture of what life was like in Israel during the Second Temple Period, including this ossuary.

Late in the Second Temple Period, Jews used limestone boxes like this one to hold the bones of their dead. These were housed in family tombs that were carved into the hillside. Ossuaries also often held inscriptions: the name of the person and their family relations.

The Dead Sea Scrolls continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010.

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Phylactery Case
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Phylactery cases like this one were used to hold scripture and were worn on the arms or foreheads of Jewish men who lived during the Second Temple Period. This particular phylactery case was recovered from the ancient settlement of Qumran, which located along the shores of the Dead Sea. It is evidence that the inhabitants of Qumran were devoutly religious, lending credence to one of the theories upheld by scholars who have been studying the scrolls over the past sixty years: that the residents of Qumran were the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Visitors to The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, which continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010, will discover what life was like in Israel during the Second Temple Period and draw their own conclusions about who may have authored the famous Dead Sea Scrolls.

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Scrollery
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The conservation and preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls have concerned both scholars and conservators since their discovery. Conservation efforts that were meant to preserve them for generations to come actually accelerated their deterioration. Here, we see hundreds of scroll fragments laid out for study in a scrollery in the Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem, exposed to bright sunlight through the museum's windows. Conservators have learned much about the appropriate care and handling of the scrolls, and today, great care is taken by the Israel Antiquities Authority to care for these fragile and precious documents in a way that will make their preservation for future generations possible.

Visitors to The Dead Sea Scrolls, which continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010, will learn about the discovery and conservation of the scrolls, as well as their cultural and spiritual significance to people around the world.

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Conservation
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In the early years of their study, the Dead Sea Scrolls were unknowingly handled inappropriately and kept in an uncontrolled environment. Today, thanks to advances in the understanding of scroll preservation, each scroll fragment goes through a painstaking conservation process in order to halt deterioration and preserve it for future generations. Here, a conservator with the Israel Antiquities Authority prepares scroll fragments for exhibition by sewing them between two layers of polyester net stretched in acid-free mounts. While the damage to the scrolls cannot be reversed, when the mounts are enclosed in a frame made of polycarbonate plates for display, they will be protected from further deterioration.

Visitors to The Dead Sea Scrolls, which continues at the Science Museum of Minnesota through October 24, 2010, will learn about the discovery and conservation of the scrolls, as well as their cultural and spiritual significance to people around the world.

Image courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

"Scroll" Jar and Lid
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. Pictured here is a "scroll" jar and lid dating back to 100 BCE - 70 CE. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

"Scroll" Jar and Lid
Printable version (760 KB)

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. Pictured here is a "scroll" jar and lid dating back to 100 BCE - 70 CE. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

Life in Israel
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. In this part of the exhibition it states that priests, scholars, shepherds, and merchants all played roles in the discovery, recognition, sale and study of the scrolls found in Cave 1. The excitement generated by the initial discovery spurred a search for more scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

Glass and Ceramic Bottles
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. This part of the exhibit displays some of those artifacts like small glass or ceramic bottles that typically held expensive oils, perfumes, powders or ointments. These bottles date back to between 63 BCE - 638 CE. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

Pottery Storage Jars
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. This part of the exhibit displays pottery storage jars, bottles, flasks and juglets dating back to between 50 BCE - 100 CE. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

Landscape Model of Qumran
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. This photo shows a landscape model of the small rural settlement of Qumran which lies in the Judean Desert. The scrolls were found in caves near this site. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

Dead Sea Caves
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. This part of the exhibit provides information about the caves of the Dead Sea and explains how they have been surveyed and excavated by various archaeological organizations since 1905. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

Artifacts from Caves Near the Dead Sea
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.

The Saint John's Bible Exhibition
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The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The ancient Hebrew scrolls were discovered in 1947, having been hidden for almost 2,000 years in remote caves along the northwestern coast of the Dead Sea. In The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, Science Museum of Minnesota visitors will have the chance to witness something remarkable: the first written record of the Bible. In addition to seeing these extraordinary scrolls, visitors will see ancient artifacts that will give them a glimpse into life in Israel during this time. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition also includes a gallery devoted to The Saint John's Bible. Displaying the original folios from The Saint John's Bible, which is the world's newest hand- scribed illustrated Bible, and the first to be commissioned in 500 years, provides a compelling juxtaposition with the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are the oldest hand-scribed biblical manuscript by centuries. Commissioned by Saint John's Abbey and University in Collegeville, Minnesota, The Saint John's Bible is a contemporary work created in the tradition of the medieval manuscripts and is the first handwritten, illuminated Bible to be commissioned by a Benedictine monastery since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago. The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition continues at the Science Museum through October 24, 2010. For ticket information call (651) 221-9444 or visit www.smm.org.

Image courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota.