Issue 18, 2013

Characterization of the Dead Sea Scrolls by advanced analytical techniques

Abstract

For many years after the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, text analysis and fragment attribution were the main concern of the scholars dealing with them. The uncertain archaeological provenance of a large part of the collection added difficulties to the already formidable task of sorting thousands of fragments. After 60 years of scholarly research the questions of origin, archaeological provenance and correct attribution of the fragments are still debated. To help address these questions we have developed a methodology suitable for the material studies of the scrolls using combinations of X-ray, FTIR and Raman techniques. On the one hand, an accurate characterization of the highly heterogeneous writing media of the Dead Sea Scrolls leads to a reliable reconstruction of their history and, thus, contributes significantly to the current debate. On the other hand, it provides new information on the production of ancient parchment towards the end of the Second Temple period, opening a new page in the historical study of technology.

Graphical abstract: Characterization of the Dead Sea Scrolls by advanced analytical techniques

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 Jun 2013
Accepted
02 Jul 2013
First published
22 Jul 2013

Anal. Methods, 2013,5, 4648-4654

Characterization of the Dead Sea Scrolls by advanced analytical techniques

I. Rabin and O. Hahn, Anal. Methods, 2013, 5, 4648 DOI: 10.1039/C3AY41076E

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