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

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

November 30, 2018 | Article

The caves are in just the right spot to hold these biblical-era manuscripts.
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Dead Sea Scroll Fragments in Museum of the Bible Are Fake

October 22, 2018 | Article

These aren't ancient pieces of the biblical text but rather modern forgeries.
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Hidden Text Found on 'Blank' Dead Sea Scrolls

May 03, 2018 | Article

Previously hidden text on fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls is now readable, revealing a possible undiscovered scroll and solving a debate about the sacred Temple Scroll. The discoveries came from a new infrared analysis of the artifacts.
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Dead Sea Scroll Remains a Puzzle After Scientists Crack its Code

January 23, 2018 | Article

The scroll contains part of a 364-day calendar of holy days.
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Could This Newfound Cave Hold More Dead Sea Scrolls?

January 22, 2018 | Article

Archaeologists have hopes of finding new fragments of these biblical manuscripts.
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5 Major Archaeology Discoveries to Look for in 2018

January 01, 2018 | Article

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

November 20, 2017 | Article

Scholars are still debating whether the 13 fragments are legitimate scraps of the ancient Hebrew Bible or modern forgeries.
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28 New Dead Sea Scrolls Fragments Sold in US

April 03, 2017 | Article

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.
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In Photos: Dead Sea Scrolls in America

April 03, 2017 | Image Album

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.
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7 Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls Revealed

April 03, 2017 | Countdown

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