Posted on 05/01/18
Jerusalem, Israel - May 1, 2018 - To mark the 70th anniversary of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Orion Center at the Hebrew University, together with the Israel Antiquities Authority, Israel Museum, University of Vienna and New York University, sponsored a special international symposium on the Dead Sea Scrolls,“The Dead Sea Scrolls at Seventy: Clear a Path in the Wilderness,” in Jerusalem, Israel.
The theme of the April 29 - May 2, 2018, conference is "The Desert" – the desert as the site where the scrolls were discovered, as the site where biblical stories took place and as a formative concept. The conference included presentations relating to the textual content, as well as archaeological, geological, and technological aspects related to the scrolls, their meaning their conservation and preservation.
The first two days of sessions were held on the Hebrew University Mount Scopus Campus. On Tuesday, the group of international Dead Sea scholars and archaeologists met at The Israel Museum in the Dorot Auditorium which is adjacent to the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are preserved and on exhibit.
Among the Hebrew University experts speaking were Amos Frumkin, and Uri Davidovich and Eitan Klein of Israel Antiquities. Klein presented slides showing lines of ancient Hebrew script, from 7th century BCE, at the end of Beyis Rishon period. This papyrus fragment from a shipping document with Jerusalem as its destination, is one of the earliest mentions of Jerusalem outside the Tanach.
Klein and Davidovich addressed research and looting of refuge caves from the time of the Bar Kohkba Revolt. Escapees from Ein Gedi, hid in desert caves to evade the Romans. Today while is some caves 95% of materials were disturbed by looters, 5% is undisturbed under earth floors. Research can be done on biogenic, organic remains, as seeds and textiles found in the caves, along with combs, coins and bones. Bats and hyrax have found their way into caves over the centuries. Modern technology is helping archaeologists discover the past, and catch potential looters. However, research into text is still essential, though perhaps, not as exciting topic.
Among the participants in this 16th International Orion Symposium, convened by Esther G Chazon of Hebrew University, were Moshe J. Bernstein of Yeshiva University, Lawrence H. Schiffman of New York University, and Armin Lange of University of Vienna.
