Jan. 3, 2026 : The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., is hosting a rare exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known copies of the Old Testament. D.C. is one of only two locations in the United States selected to display the historic artifacts as part of a national tour marking the 75th anniversary of their discovery.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient Jewish manuscripts, primarily from the Second Temple period (3rd century BCE to 1st century CE), discovered in caves near the Dead Sea, most famously near Qumran, beginning in 1947. They are among the most significant archaeological finds, containing the oldest known biblical manuscripts (like Isaiah), non-biblical texts, hymns, and community rules, providing crucial insights into the development of Judaism and the origins of Christianity. Written mostly in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, these leather, papyrus, and copper scrolls revolutionized understanding of ancient religious texts and Jewish life.
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