Dead Sea Scrolls

Found in 12 caves in the West Bank, the Dead Sea Scrolls consist of thousands of fragments from over 900 manuscripts that may have been written by a sect called the Essenes. They contain texts from the Hebrew Bible as well as calendars, astronomical observations and community rules. Here, Live Science brings you all the latest news about newfound scrolls, decoded fragments and all the mystery surrounding the discoveries.

Related Topics: Anthropology, Ancient Egypt, Mummies, Human Nature

Latest Updates

The Great Isaiah Scroll, one of the seven original Dead Sea Scrolls found in the late 1940s, on display at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. In a new study, researchers determined that two scribes wrote this scroll.

Mysterious second writer of Dead Sea Scroll uncovered by AI

By Laura Geggel

Two scribes wrote the famous Great Isaiah Scroll, researchers found with the help of AI and statistics.

Fragments of the dead sea scrolls photographed in a lab in Jerusalem, Israel in 2012.

Ancient DNA could reveal full stories on the Dead Sea Scrolls

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

Tiny traces of ancient DNA in Dead Sea Scrolls could help scientists piece the fragments together.

The Hebrew word "Shabbat" is visible in the upper right hand corner. A lamed (the letter "L" in Hebrew) is written on the left side of the fragment.

'Blank' Dead Sea Scrolls have hidden letters on them

By Laura Geggel

These Dead Sea Scroll fragments appeared blank to the naked eye.

U.S. soldiers patrol the Iraq National Museum, which opened its doors July 3, 2003, for the first time since the April 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, Iraq. The museum was plagued with weeks of looting that also sacked the museum.

7 Biblical Sites Ravaged by Modern-Day Looters

By Owen Jarus

These historical ruins from the time of Jesus attract more than the public eye — Looters continue to raid the archaeological remains in hopes of selling what they find.

These Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered during a 1947 excavation of Qumran caves northwest of the Dead Sea.

Archaeologists Are Looking for Dead Sea Scrolls Inside 2 Newfound Qumran Caves

By Owen Jarus

The caves are in just the right spot to hold these biblical-era manuscripts.

A "Dead Sea Scroll" fragment on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

Dead Sea Scroll Fragments in Museum of the Bible Are Fake

By Megan Gannon

These aren't ancient pieces of the biblical text but rather modern forgeries.

Hidden text Found on 'Blank' Dead Sea Scrolls

By Laura Geggel

The newly deciphered Dead Sea Scroll was found in "cave four" (shown here), near the site of Qumran in Israel.

Dead Sea Scroll Remains a Puzzle After Scientists Crack its Code

By Owen Jarus

The scroll contains part of a 364-day calendar of holy days.

Images of the newfound cave have yet to be released. Here, the caves of Qumran that were discovered between 1947-1956

Could This Newfound Cave Hold More Dead Sea Scrolls?

By Owen Jarus

Archaeologists have hopes of finding new fragments of these biblical manuscripts.

5 Major Archaeology Discoveries to Look for in 2018

By Owen Jarus

From a warrior's tomb in Greece to a Dead Sea Scrolls cave, here are some of the biggest archaeological discoveries likely to come in 2018.

Visitors look at an exhibit about the Dead Sea scrolls at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

Are the Museum of the Bible's Dead Sea Scrolls Fakes?

By Megan Gannon

Scholars are still debating whether the 13 fragments are legitimate scraps of the ancient Hebrew Bible or modern forgeries.

28 New Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments Sold in US

By Owen Jarus

Twenty-eight fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls that were purchased from the antiquities market have yet to be published, but are now sitting in three U.S. institutions.

In Photos: Dead Sea Scrolls in America

By Owen Jarus

Here's a look at the fragments of Dead Sea Scrolls that have been sold on the antiquities market and are currently in institutions in the U.S.

A detail of fragments of the 2000-year-old Dead Sea scrolls at a laboratory before photographing them on December 18, 2012 in Jerusalem, Israel.

7 Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls Revealed

By Owen Jarus

From virtual unwrapping to old-fashioned archaeological excavation, scientists are using a variety of techniques to reveal new information about the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Archaeologists recently discovered a cave (entrance, shown at left) near Qumran in Israel, though most of the "Dead Sea Scrolls" in the cave had been taken in the mid-20th century.

12th Dead Sea Scrolls Cave Found in Israel

By Owen Jarus

A cave that held Dead Sea Scrolls before they were stolen in the mid-20th century has been discovered in Qumran, Israel.

Qumran caves at the archaeological site in the Judean desert of the West Bank, Israel

In Photos: New Dead Sea Scrolls Revealed

By Owen Jarus

Several Dead Sea Scrolls fragments have been revealed in two new books. Here's a look at images of the scrolls, which hold text from various books of the Hebrew Bible.

The Temple Scroll is a Dead Sea Scroll available online.

70 Years After Dead Sea Scrolls Were Found, New Discoveries Await

By Owen Jarus

digitized image of the Dead Sea Scroll called the Temple Scroll

Qumran & the Dead Sea Scrolls

By Owen Jarus

The famous biblical manuscripts were found in caves near this ancient settlement.

5 Big Archaeology Stories to Watch for in 2017

By Owen Jarus

Here's a look at major archaeological stories to watch for in 2017, including new biblical discoveries, Dead Sea Scrolls findings and Great Pyramid insights.

The 9 Biggest Archaeology Findings of 2016

By Owen Jarus