Archaeologists in Israel discover a new Dead Sea Scroll in the Cave of Horrors
Israeli archaeologists discovered a new fragment of the Dead Sea Scrolls believed to be a missing part of the “Book of the 12 Minor Prophets” scroll, first discovered in 1961. The fragments contain verses from Zechariah 8:16-17 and Nahum 1:5-6.
The new fragments were uncovered in the so-called “Cave of Horror,” where archaeologists in the 1950s found skeletons of men, women, and children killed during the Bar Kokhba revolt, a Jewish rebellion against Rome between 132 and 136, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Evidence of a Roman encampments on the cliff above the cave suggests the rebels remained under siege inside the cave until they died of starvation. The only way to access the cave is by rope, lowering down some 200 feet.
The new Dead Sea Scroll is among several recent archaeological finds, including a partially mummified 6,000-year-old skeleton of a child, a Jewish coin from the time of the Bar Kokhba rebellion, ancient arrowheads, and a 10,500-year-old basket. The Israel Antiquities Authority believes may be the oldest-known basket in the world. Made from woven reeds, it is from the Neolithic period, predating the development of pottery in the region.
Cacone, Sarah. (2021, March 16). In a Remarkable Find, Archaeologists Exploring the ‘Cave of Horrors’ in Israel Have Discovered a new Dead Sea Scroll. https: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/new-dead-sea-scroll-discovery-cave-horrors-1952209.html