Once forgotten. Now unforgettable.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are widely considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our time. A priceless collection of 2,000-year-old documents that shed light onto a little-known period in religious history, the scrolls are some of the oldest surviving written documents in human history. Containing original texts from the Bible as well as writings that tell us about the laws and society of Jewish culture, the scrolls were discovered in a cave along the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea in 1947. Since then, they have prompted rigorous scholarly debate as to who their authors may have been, and they've given us a rare glimpse into what life was like around the time of Christ.

Don't miss your chance to experience this moving, engaging exhibition—one you'll always remember. And as a part of your visit, you'll also see the newest handwritten Bible—The Saint John's Bible—on display in the final gallery, and learn about a tradition that continues to the present day. Open through October 24, 2010.

What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

The scrolls are 2000-year-old fragments of some of the world's most rare and important documents. The discovery of the scrolls in 1947 was considered one of the greatest archeological feats of all time. They contain the oldest written records of the Bible—written at about the time of Jesus.

Are these the real Dead Sea Scrolls?

Yes—these are the authentic documents and artifacts. The Science Museum is one of a very few museums worldwide that have been allowed to display the actual scrolls.

What will I see in the exhibition?

You'll begin by learning about the world and the time that created the scrolls, through authentic artifacts and a look at the ongoing debate about who wrote these rare documents. You will learn how science is learning more about the scrolls, and the meticulous process of preserving them. The scrolls have a profound impact of Christianity, Judaism, the Muslim faith, and you'll see examples of how their words have echoed in these three great religions for 200 years. In the scroll room, you'll see five fragments of the scrolls themselves, and learn how to read them. And finally, you'll see the newest handwritten version of the Bible in a display of the magnificent Saint John's Bible.

Is this exhibition appropriate for children?

Absolutely—the exhibition is a chance for them to experience an extremely rare part of history, one that they will remember throughout their lives. In addition to the scrolls themselves, the story of their discovery, and the mysteries that surround their creation, are engaging and entertaining. In fact, we have a special audio tour just for kids—included free with your admission! View the Family Guide.

What is included in the ticket price?

All tickets to The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition include admission to the rest of the museum's 8.5 acres of exhibit galleries, and a free 45-minute audio tour. This self-guided tour lets you learn even more about the story of the scrolls, and includes a special version just for kids.

Do you have discounts for groups?

Yes! Discounted tickets are available for groups of 15 or more. Please call our Group Sales office at (651) 221-9426 or visit our Groups page for details.

We also have special discounted times for seniors (age 60 and older), students, and ongoing discounts for people with reduced incomes.

What is the best time to visit?

The exhibition is open every day from 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., with a last admission time of 8 p.m. If you are concerned about crowding, we recommend visits later in the day—after 1 p.m. on weekdays, and after 3 p.m. on weekends.

To make your visit easy, we strongly recommend reserving a ticket ahead of time. Tickets to the exhibition are for a specific entry time, and with a reservation, you can avoid lines at the Box Office and pick up tickets at Will Call. Better still, if you purchase tickets online, you can print out your tickets at home and skip the Box Office entirely!

Where else has this exhibition been on display?

This exact Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition has never been on display before. This one-of-a-kind exhibition was developed, designed and fabricated by the Science Museum of Minnesota in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). Because the scrolls are priceless treasures, they rarely leave Israel and the IAA only supports a single exhibition at any one time.

How long does a visit to the scrolls take?

You can experience the scrolls at your own pace—although tickets are for a specific entry time, you can stay as long as you like. Most visitors spend from 90 minutes to two hours in the exhibition.

Please be aware that the temperature inside the exhibition is kept at 68 degrees. This is the ideal temperature for the conservation of organic artifacts, but it may feel cool to people dressed for the warm summer months. We suggest that visitors should plan their dress accordingly.

If you plan on visiting the Omnitheater, we recommend that you see the film first, so you won't have to rush through the exhibition to make your movie showing. The Omnitheater film lasts about 45 minutes.

We also have special discounted visit times for seniors and students.

Can I take pictures or video in the exhibition?

Because of the conservation needs of the scrolls and other artifacts, photography and video are NOT permitted in The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition. You are welcome to take pictures in the rest of the museum.

 

The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition was created by the Israel Antiquities Authority from the collections of the National Treasures in collaboration with the Science Museum of Minnesota.

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

 

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