Evidence Suggests Some Dead Sea Scrolls were Stolen, Archaeologists Believe

By R.See, | February 10, 2017

Evidence Suggests Some Dead Sea Scrolls were Stolen, Archaeologists Believe

Evidence Suggests Some Dead Sea Scrolls were Stolen, Archaeologists Believe

Archaeologists have recently discovered what is believed to be the 12th Dead Sea Cave, however, evidence suggests that some scrolls were stolen long ago.

The famous caves came to be known among modern archaeology as an ancient encasement for the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are believed to be the oldest known biblical manuscripts. Over 1,000 Dead Sea Scrolls were collected since the discovery of 11 caves located in the Judaean Desert, which was found between 1946 and 1956. Currently, archaeologists may have unearth the 12th cave.

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The recent finding sheds light on how vast the landscape yet still to be charted, but through the course of history before these caves were long lost in translation some face a risk of discovery by looters.

It turns out, from what the archaeologists believe, that there are signs that the 12th cave may have fallen victim to looting. Evidence suggests that the recently discovered cave have more room to store these Dead Sea Scrolls, but some are long gone.

Aside from some empty spots, further investigations also revealed that scattered debris along the floor were actually cloth used to bind these scrolls; pointing out that some are opened, and may very well excavated before scholars and may since be long gone.

Oren Gutfeld, an archaeologist at Hebrew University, had stated that the recent finding is considered to be one of the most exciting archaeological discoveries, as well as the "most important in the last 60 years."

The archaeologists on sight may have rejoiced in the discovery of yet another cave, but the ecstatic air may be short lived as they have concluded that there are no new scrolls to be found. Some rolled-up parchment were found but soon it was found out it were only blanks; wherein experts believed that were processed for writing.

Evidence of a heist is still mounting up as the researchers found a tunnel at the back of these caves, of which contained iron pickaxe heads believed to have been left by looters dated back to the 1950s.

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