How did Bedouin find the Dead Sea scrolls?

The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a series of twelve caves around the site originally known as the “Ein Feshkha Caves” near the Dead Sea in the West Bank (then part of Jordan) between 1946 and 1956 by Bedouin shepherds and a team of archeologists.

How did the shepherd boy find the Dead Sea scrolls?

One of the young shepherds tossed a rock into an opening on the side of a cliff and was surprised to hear a shattering sound. He and his companions later entered the cave and found a collection of large clay jars, seven of which contained leather and papyrus scrolls.

What happened to the shepherd who found the Dead Sea scrolls?

They’d been split into two lots, with the shepherd selling his, through a dealer, to the Jews at the Hebrew University. Two intact jars were included. It was everything needed to authenticate the scrolls. And then, the shepherd disappeared.

What did the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls show?

The scrolls have shown how biblical texts are actually fungible: a few words re-ordered, and in some cases whole passages excised or rewritten, give insights into the history of these religious documents and help historians reconstruct how they were written and compiled.

Who first studied the Dead Sea scrolls?

In 1953, a French archaeologist and Catholic priest named Roland de Vaux led an international team to study the mostly Hebrew scrolls, which a Bedouin shepherd had discovered in 1947. De Vaux concluded that the scrolls’ authors had lived in Qumran, because the 11 scroll caves are close to the site.

Who first studied the Dead Sea Scrolls?

Why was the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls so important?

The Dead Sea Scrolls are important not only because they offer insight into the community at Qumrān but because they provide a window to the wider spectrum of ancient Jewish belief and practice.