Dead Sea Scrolls Buying Guide
Ever wanted your own copy of the Dead Sea Scrolls? We sell an adaptation you can buy and bring home to admire. The infamous Dead Sea Scrolls were accidentally discovered by a Bedouin shepherd in Qumran when he fell into a cave and emerged with a handful of ancient parchments.
[caption id="attachment_779" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Qurmran Cave[/caption] [caption id="attachment_788" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Dead Sea Scrolls on Display in the Israel Museum, Jerusalem[/caption]
Protected from dampness and sunlight by the dry climate and dark caves of the Judean desert, these scrolls date from the 3rd century BCE and include some of the oldest versions of Hebrew Biblical texts in the world. The discovery of the miraculously preserved scrolls reveals the diversity of religious beliefs during the Second Temple period, and the remains include fragments of every book in the canonized Hebrew Bible (or Tanach) except for the Book of Esther.
The scrolls are now on display at the Israel Museum's Shrine of the Book in Jerusalem, and the Israel Museum has reproduced replicas of some scrolls and fragments.
[caption id="attachment_780" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, Jerusalem[/caption]
Judaica WebStore carries a selection of authenticated replicas and other products associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls and their history:
Dead Sea Scrolls Adaptation
The fascinating provenance of the Dead Sea Scrolls is sure to capture the imagination of anyone interested in Jewish history or archaeology, as the scrolls include Biblical, apocryphal and sectarian texts. This adaptation includes an authentic copy of one of the Scrolls, a replica of a jar in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, and a booklet with the story of the Scrolls, and would make a rare and iconic gift for someone with a passion for Jewish history and connection to our Holy Land.
[caption id="attachment_781" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Dead Sea Scrolls Adaptation[/caption]Authentic Glassware
The Israel Museum has produced a range of replicas of glassware found in the vicinity of the Dead Sea Scrolls, using similar techniques to those utilized by Israeli artisans in the Roman-Byzantine period. These unusual glassware items have been individually blown from glass pipes, and specially treated to recreate the beautiful iridescence and individual coloring marking genuine artifacts. The pieces in this exclusive collection would make unique and exquisite gifts for people who appreciate the rare combination of a proud history and spectacular beauty.
[caption id="attachment_782" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Ancient Glassware on Display in Jerusalem[/caption]Jewelry
The Israel Museum has produced several pieces of Roman Glass jewelry inspired by archaeological findings in and around the Qumran caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. For example, many necklaces and earrings are based on a replica of an ancient sundial found at the site, and this pendant is a replica of an ancient shekel coin minted in the year 28 BCE and discovered at the Qumran excavation site. Pieces from this exclusive jewelry collection would make rare and beautiful gifts for someone with an interest in Israel's history and unusual pieces.
[caption id="attachment_783" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Roman Glass Jewelry is Popular for History Buffs and Jewelry Lovers Alike[/caption]Educational Material
The discovery of the ancient scrolls brought the date of canonization of the Tanach forward by almost 1000 years, prompting new interest and encouraging new research and writings on the subject. We carry an exclusive selection of books explaining the Dead Sea Scrolls and their relevance to Jewish history and understanding the turbulence of the Second Temple Period.
[caption id="attachment_784" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The Dead Sea is lowest point on Earth and filled with minerals; this is one reason why the Dead Sea Scrolls stayed so well preserved.[/caption]All Israel Museum items come with a certificate of authenticity, and a description of their historical and archaeological background in both English and Hebrew. These unique products offer a one-of-a-kind encounter with our past, and give you the chance to bring buried antiquities to life in your own home!