In 1947, a shepherd boy shattered a window to the past when he stumbled upon the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century. The Dead Sea Scrolls proved to be the oldest known Biblical manuscripts in existence, offering remarkable insight into the birth of Christianity. Yet since the discovery, scholars have kept the exact contents of these crucial documents a closely-guarded secret. Enigma of the Dead Sea Scrolls would be useful for classes on World History, Middle Eastern History, Religion, World Culture, and Geography, Archeology and Anthropology. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• Bedouin
• antiquity
• ascertain
• clandestine
• contraband
• enigma
• heretical
• hypothesis
• inhospitable
• lucrative
• mandate
• messianic
• monastic
• painstaking
• precepts
• prevalent
• relic
• ritual immersion
• subterranean
• theology

1. The Dead Sea Scrolls have been called the greatest archeological find of the twentieth century. But what exactly are the Dead Sea Scrolls? Why are they considered so important? What is their contribution to knowledge?

2. The story of the discovery and study of the Dead Sea Scrolls has been called the “archeological scandal of the century.” Why? What is considered so scandalous about the study of the scrolls?

3. Why are the Dead Sea Scrolls so controversial?

4. Who were the Essenes? Why do scholars believe that the Essenes produced the scrolls?

5. The Dead Sea Scrolls were written over a millennium ago. The greatest problem faced by scholars and curators is the disintegration of the fragile scrolls. What are some of the problems of disintegration? What modern techniques have been employed to prevent further disintegration of the scrolls?

6. The Middle East region where the Dead Sea Scrolls originate is an area of modern day turmoil. Discuss how the politics of the area influence the path of the scrolls.

7. Discuss some of the problems of piecing the scrolls together.

8. Why do you think that some scholars have so closely guarded the contents of the Dead Sea Scrolls?

1. On a map of the Middle East find where the ancient city of Judea was located. What is the present name for this area? Use your map and findings to discuss how the region is a center for three of the world’s most popular religions and the problems this causes for the region and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

2. Create your own scroll and copy some text from any source onto the scroll. Use your scroll to discuss the advances in printing and technology that have occurred since the scrolls were first produced.

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