qumran caves

qumran caves Latest

A portion of the recently deciphered Dead Sea Scroll 4Q324d containing a 364-day calendar used by the Qumran community in the Judean Desert. Photo: Courtesy of the University of Haifa.

Jun 26 Blog

Deciphered Dead Sea Scroll Reveals 364-Day Calendar

Researchers recently deciphered one of the last two remaining Dead Sea Scrolls. Written in code, the scroll describes a 364-day calendar used by the Qumran community that lived in the Judean Desert.

Sep 1 Blog

He Who Freed the Dead Sea Scrolls

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

In 1991, Martin Abegg, Jr., contemplated doing something unprecedented that had the potential to derail his academic career: publishing reconstructions of the Dead Sea Scrolls without the permission of the sluggish and secretive publication team.

Mar 21 eBook

Masada: The Dead Sea’s Desert Fortress

By: BAS Admin

Herod’s desert fortress on the mountaintop of Masada has been immortalized as an enduring symbol of Jewish pride and determination. Although the stronghold was built by the megalomaniac King Herod, it was made famous as the site of the last stand between the besieged Jewish rebels and the relentlessly advancing Romans in the First Jewish Revolt in 73/74 A.D. What is the archaeological evidence for the siege of Masada?

Sep 11 Blog

The Aramaic Dead Sea Scrolls

By: Marek Dospěl

What is the significance of the Aramaic texts among the Dead Sea Scrolls for elucidating the literary, societal, political, and religious contexts of ancient Judaism and nascent Christianity?

Feb 20 Blog

Lawrence H. Schiffman on the Dead Sea Scrolls’ History

By: Robin Ngo

In the May/June 2015 issue of BAR, Lawrence H. Schiffman describes the Dead Sea Scrolls’ history, from their discovery in the Qumran caves to the state of present-day scroll research.

Jan 4 Blog

Where Were the Dead Sea Scrolls Found and Who Put Them There?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

For nearly 2,000 years, the Qumran caves protected the secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Might the same caves also shed light on the mystery of who deposited the scrolls there in the first place?

Mar 30 Blog

Israel Exploration Society’s Joseph Aviram Turns 100

By: Hershel Shanks

On March 16, 2016, Joseph Aviram, the working president of the Israel Exploration Society, turned 100 years old.

May 6 Blog

Ten Commandments Dead Sea Scroll to Be Displayed in Israel

By: Robin Ngo

The Israel Museum in Jerusalem will display a Dead Sea Scroll containing one of the earliest known copies of the Ten Commandments.

Nov 20 Blog

IAA Launches App with Archaeology Games

By: Robin Ngo

The Israel Antiquities Authority has released a free app for iPhones and iPads with archaeology games and puzzles.

Jul 25 eBook

Israel: An Archaeological Journey

By: BAS Admin

As the point where three of the world’s major religions converge, the history of ancient Israel is one of the richest and most complex in the world. This journey into archaeology, Israel and the Biblical world is free on the Bible History Daily website.

Must-Read Free eBooks

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future

Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel

Who Was Jesus? Exploring the History of Jesus’ Life

Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus

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