Dead Sea scrolls facts for kids
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of about 1,000 ancient documents. They include some of the oldest known copies of texts from the Hebrew Bible, which is the holy book for Jewish people. These amazing scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1979. They were found in eleven caves near a place called Wadi Qumran, close to the ancient ruins of Khirbet Qumran. This area is on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea in the West Bank.
These religious and historical texts are incredibly important. They are practically the only surviving copies of Biblical documents made before 100 CE (which means 100 years after the birth of Jesus). They also show us that there were many different beliefs and practices within Judaism during the time of the Second Temple (an important Jewish temple that stood in Jerusalem long ago).
Contents
Discovery of the Scrolls
How They Were Found
The first scrolls were found by accident in 1947. A young Bedouin shepherd, looking for a lost goat, threw a rock into a cave. He heard the sound of breaking pottery. When he went to investigate, he found ancient jars containing leather and papyrus scrolls. This discovery led to many more searches.
Where They Were Hidden
The scrolls were hidden in caves in the desert near the Dead Sea. This dry environment helped to preserve the delicate scrolls for thousands of years. The main site of discovery was near the ruins of Khirbet Qumran. Many experts believe that a Jewish group called the Essenes lived there and may have written or collected many of the scrolls.
What the Scrolls Contain
Biblical Texts
About 250 scrolls contain parts of the Hebrew Bible. Almost every book of the Hebrew Bible is represented, except for the Book of Esther. The most famous biblical scroll is the Great Isaiah Scroll. It contains almost the entire Book of Isaiah. These texts are very similar to the Bible versions we have today. This shows how carefully the texts were copied over many centuries.
Non-Biblical Writings
Besides the biblical texts, the Dead Sea Scrolls also include many other types of writings. Some are religious texts that tell us about the beliefs and rules of the community that wrote them. Others are about daily life, laws, and even hymns or prayers. These non-biblical scrolls give us a unique look into Jewish life and thought around 2,000 years ago.
Why the Scrolls Are Important
A Glimpse into the Past
The Dead Sea Scrolls are like a time capsule. They give us a direct look at ancient Jewish society and religion. Before their discovery, the oldest copies of many biblical texts were from much later times. The scrolls show us how these texts were written and understood in ancient times.
Understanding Ancient Judaism
The scrolls reveal that there were many different ways of practicing Judaism in ancient times. They show that not everyone believed the exact same things. This helps historians and religious scholars understand the rich and varied history of Jewish thought.
Preservation and Study
The dry climate of the desert caves helped preserve the scrolls. However, many were found in thousands of tiny pieces. Experts have spent decades carefully piecing them together. Modern technology, like infrared photography, helps to read faded texts. Many of the scrolls are now kept and displayed at the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Caves at Qumran
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A view of the Dead Sea from a cave at Qumran in which some of the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered.
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The Isaiah Scroll (1QIsaa) contains almost the whole Book of Isaiah.
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The Damascus Document Scroll, 4Q271Df, found in Cave 4
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4Q7, a fragment of the book of Genesis found in Cave 4
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Dead Sea Scroll fragments 7Q4, 7Q5, and 7Q8 from Cave 7 in Qumran, written on papyrus.
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A view of part of the Temple Scroll that was found in Qumran Cave 11.
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Fragments 1 and 2 of '7Q6' from Cave 7 are written on papyrus.
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Two of the pottery jars that held some of the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran.
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Two Dead Sea Scrolls jars at the Jordan Museum, Amman
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A previously unreadable fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls photographed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory using digital infrared technology. Translated into English it reads: "He wrote the words of Noah."
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Eleazar Sukenik examining one of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1951.
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Visitors examining Dead Sea Scrolls displayed at the Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem.
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Strip of the Copper Scroll from Qumran Cave 3 written in the Hebrew Mishnaic dialect, on display at the Jordan Museum, Amman
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Advertisement in The Wall Street Journal dated 1 June 1954 for four of the "Dead Sea Scrolls"
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See also
In Spanish: Manuscritos del Mar Muerto para niños
