CT scan of charred scroll yields oldest Biblical remnant after Dead Sea Scrolls

July 20, 2015

A scrap of a torched Torah scroll being shown by staff in a lab of the Israel Antiquities Authority on July 20, 2015. A scrap of a torched Torah scroll being shown by staff in a lab of the Israel Antiquities Authority on July 20, 2015.
    

Thanks to a high-tech solution, a charred parchment scroll discovered by the shores of the Dead Sea bearing verses from the Book of Leviticus was deciphered for the first time, archaeologists announced Monday.

The document, found during the excavation of the synagogue in Ein Gedi 45 years ago, was burned 1,500 years ago while stored inside the ark in the ancient house of worship. Since then, however, the text has been unreadable.

Using micro-CT scanners, specialists at the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Dead Sea Scrolls laboratory in Jerusalem discerned the text written on the charred scroll: verses from the second chapter of the Book of Leviticus. The results of the CT scans were sent to computer scientist Brent Seales of the University of Kentucky, who created a 3D reconstruction of the scroll.

Carbon-14 dating determined the text was from the end of the 6th century CE, making it the oldest copy of the Bible after the Dead Sea Scrolls. The IAA archaeologists noted that it was also the first time the remains of a Torah scroll were found in an ancient synagogue.

Mentioned in the Bible as an oasis where David took refuge from King Saul, Ein Gedi was home to a Jewish community in antiquity and, during Roman times, was noted for the balsam plantations growing nearby. Excavations in the 20th century unearthed the remains of the town and a synagogue with a large mosaic floor.

The ancient Jewish village was completely burned in antiquity, Yosef Porat, one of the archaeologists who excavated the site, said in a statement, “and none of its residents returned to resettle it, or to pick through its ruins in order to rescue valuables.”

Among the items left behind in the Byzantine-era village were a bronze menorah and the community’s alms box with 3,500 coins, Porat said. “We have no information about the cause of the fire, but theories for the destruction range from conquest by Bedouins from the region east of the Dead Sea to conflicts with the Byzantine authorities.”

The Times of Israel

7/21/2015

See also
1500-year-old Christian manuscript discovered at Manchester library 1500-year-old Christian manuscript discovered at Manchester library 1500-year-old Christian manuscript discovered at Manchester library 1500-year-old Christian manuscript discovered at Manchester library
Staff members of the John Rylands Library of the University of Manchester have announced the discover of a Greek papyrus text written in the 6th century, which gives an account of the Last Supper and first Christians. 2,000 years after they were written, Dead Sea Scrolls go online 2,000 years after they were written, Dead Sea Scrolls go online 2,000 years after they were written, Dead Sea Scrolls go online 2,000 years after they were written, Dead Sea Scrolls go online
The oldest known biblical manuscripts will be available online in a high-resolution format thanks to a partnership between Google and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. New St. Theophan the Recluse manuscripts discovered on Mt. Athos New St. Theophan the Recluse manuscripts discovered on Mt. Athos New St. Theophan the Recluse manuscripts discovered on Mt. Athos New St. Theophan the Recluse manuscripts discovered on Mt. Athos
From May 10–28, 2011, there was an expedition to the St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mt. Athos of a scholarly editorial council for the Complete Works of St. Theophan the Recluse,
Comments
Al'yashaba Yashar'al5/28/2019 11:36 am
The word "Jewish" is very deceptive. The word Hebrew (Abry) should have been used, which is why I gave a low rating of 5.
Carol4/30/2019 4:29 pm
No I did not ... Interesting articles
Dr. Tina D Pipkin4/28/2019 6:05 am
What an amazing discovery!

Dianna Lucas11/24/2018 6:59 am
The information is great how the apostle scroll of mary
Jameka Mickerson10/27/2018 4:30 pm
It's amazing how much history continues to become available decades centuries and world @times before beliefs can be ALL different but remains of same OR similar likes we have ALWAYS BEEN OF ONE PEOPLE, it concerns me so now bout how to eliminate conflicts and what is gained from decision made or making... There are deep spiritual proof that souls, spirits continue to exist after being released from the anatomy... You have power beyond means...it is interesting to see
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