Dead Sea Scrolls Found Recently: Fragments of Biblical Texts That Have Not Been Seen In Decades

Israeli researchers have discovered dozens of Dead Sea scroll fragments of biblical texts from 2,000 years ago. This is the first time that they were able to discover such a find in 60 years.

The newly discovered Dead Sea scrolls are ancient fragments of biblical texts uncovered during a four-year archaeological project. It is composed of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets, including the books of Zechariah and Nahum according to NBC News.

Archaeologists also uncovered a 6,000-year-old skeleton of a partially mummified child that could be six and 12 years old based on a CT scan. They also found the oldest basket in the world, which is 10,500 years old.

Dead Sea Scroll Fragments of Biblical Texts

According to Reuters, the Dead Sea scroll fragments is one of the troves of ancient Jewish texts that were first found by a Bedouin shepherd in the caves of Qumran, about 20 km east of Jerusalem, in 1947 and is considered as one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century.

The collection of Dead Sea scrolls provide a window into the Jewish religion before and after the time of Jesus. The likelihood of antique robbers finding a new trove of Dead Sea scrolls drove the authorities into action and led them to the recent discovery of the Dead Sea scroll fragments.

The texts written in these fragments are all in Greek, like the Nahum 1:5-6, which says: "The mountains quake because of Him, And the hills melt. The earth heaves before Him, The world and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before His wrath? Who can resist His fury? His anger pours out like fire, and rocks are shattered because of Him."

Authorities noted that these words are slightly different from other versions in the Bible, which shed light on how biblical texts changed over time since it was first written.

The new fragments were found in the Cave of Horror which housed skeletons of Jewish rebels, who fought against the Roman Empire, dating from 1,900 years old. The Dead Sea scroll fragments were filled with centuries of sand and debris that are likely to be hiding in the area before being excavated.

Other Treasures Found

In addition to the Dead Sea scroll fragments, the Israel Antiquities Authority also reported that the team excavated a huge 10,500-year-old woven basket, believed to be the oldest complete basket in the world.

Moreover, the Ecumenical News reported that the team was also able to uncover a 6,000-year-old mummified skeleton of a child that is between six and 12 years old based on a CT scan, wherein its hair, skin, and tendons were partially preserved.

Other treasures found also include a "cache of coins with Jewish symbols, like a harp and a date palm, arrowheads and spearheads, woven fabric, and sandals, and lice combs." All of these treasures were found in the Cave of Horror in the Judean Desert, according to NBC News.

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