Another grotto has been discovered at Qumran

In 1947, a cave was discovered near Qumran, where a collection of manuscripts dating back nearly two thousand years was found. years. The scrolls quickly became a worldwide sensation. After careful study, a total of 11 similar caves were discovered. Now archaeologists have found one more – the 12th cave, where they also came across the remains of jugs and a scrap of parchment.

More than 900 manuscripts have been found in the ruins of Qumran and in the close vicinityów. The manuscripts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. The authors of the scrollsóin were most likely the Essenes. These are representatives of a socio-religious movement, whichóThey lived in the years around the. From 500 B.C. to 70 A.D.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Shortly after World War II, three Bedouin boys discovered theóIn following the herd of kófrom and sheep discovered a cave in which theórej they came across jugs containing ancient Hebrew scrolls. The manuscripts were cut into pieces and put up for sale in Jerusalem bazaars. Coincidentally, one such pieceów ended up in the hands of an antiquities dealerów of Bethlehem, whichóry contacted a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to assess the value of the find.

The professor immediately realized what he was dealing with and asked the trader to provide more fragmentsów. In this wayób three complete scrolls came into the hands of a scholar. After redeeming the valuable find, they immediately proceeded to analyze the manuscriptów. The first two complete scrolls contained the biblical texts of the Book of Isaiah and a commentary on the Book of Habakkuk written in Old Hebrew script. The third contained a previously unknown text depicting an apocalyptic war between the forces of light and the forces of darkness known today as Zwój Wars.

In the cave discovered by the boyów there were seven scrollsów. After rós perturbations resulting from the greed of traders and tensions over the loss of Britain’s mandate over Palestine, all the scrolls ended up in Israel. The last four were purchased thanks to an ad published in the „The Wall Street Journal”.

A total of 11 caves containing ancient manuscripts were discovered between 1947 and 1956. Some of the caves were discovered by scientistsów, but with the contents of those found by Bedouinów happened the same way as with the manuscripts from the first grotto. They were cut into pieces and sold in bazaars. On top of that, some of the caves have been looted before. It should also be noted that the tooth of time has left its mark and someóre scrolls were found in terrible condition.

12 cave at Qumran

70 years after the discovery of the first cave, archaeologists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reported the discovery of another, the 12th cave near Qumran. However, researchers have not come across any new manuscripts in it. They believe the cave was looted in the mid-20th century.

Behind the discovery are the aforementioned archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and their colleagues from the Israel Antiquities Authority under the auspices of the state administration.

In addition to the remains of broken jugsów, experts came across a small scrap of parchment. – No doubt we have discovered another cave, unfortunately there are no further manuscripts in itów – said the head of the excavation, Oren Gutfeld. Also found in the 12th cave were skóThe cast strips used to bind the scrollsów and pieces of material in which theóre were wrapped. Similar artifacts were found in an earlier 11 caves.

The age of the scrap of parchment found has been determined, as well as the remains of vessels thatóry points to the first century AD. It is the same age as the other scrollsów. – Until now it was accepted that Dead Sea scrolls were found only in 11 caves at Qumran. Now there is no doubt that we have found the 12th cave – emphasized Gutfed. The scientist added that there may be more caves containing scrolls.

On a small piece of parchment found in 12 caves, there is no text at all. However, researchers want to conduct a thorough analysis, która will show whether the scrap contains writing that has faded with time.

The discovery archaeologistów will probably cause a new wave of exploration in the area, which may result in more finds.