Topic Summary: The Dead Sea Scrolls
1. Discovery (1947–1956)
A collection of ancient Jewish manuscripts discovered in eleven caves near the shore of the
Dead Sea (Qumran). Legend says a Bedouin shepherd found the first scrolls while looking for a
lost goat.
2. Composition
● Total Fragments: Approximately 900 manuscripts.
● Languages: Mostly Hebrew, with some Aramaic and Greek.
● Materials: Written primarily on parchment (animal skin) and papyrus. One unique
"Copper Scroll" lists buried treasure.
3. Historical Significance
● Age: They date from roughly 3rd Century BCE to 1st Century CE.
● Biblical Accuracy: They contain the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible (Old
Testament), showing that the text remained remarkably consistent over
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