Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibition Runs through January 7th
There are just a few weeks left to see the “Discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls” exhibit at the Pacific Science Center.
The 12,000 square foot exhibit is presented in association with the Israel Antiquities Authority and The Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation. The exhibit contains artifacts, and a variety of displays, including interactive ones, which cover the history and science associated with the scrolls.
Regarded by many archaeologists as the most profound discover of the 20th century, the Dead Sea Scrolls pre-date Christianity. Originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, the scrolls were transcribed or copied somewhere between 250 BCE and 68 CE. BCE stands for “Before the Common Era” and CE for “Common Era,” the chronological equivalent to BC and AD.
A Bedouin shepherd discovered the scrolls near the ancient ruin of Qumran, along the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. Ultimately, this discovery let to a much larger and more advanced archaeological excavation, which revealed 11 caves that held over 50,000 fragments from more than 850 documents. The scrolls consist of both biblical and sectarian manuscripts, and appear to from a Jewish sect that hid in the caves to escape the Roman army around 66-70 CE.
The biblical tests are the earliest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible, also referred to as the Old Testament. The sectarian scrolls were written during a critical time of intellectual, political, legal and cultural development of Western society. This is important stuff about who we are and where we came from.
Location: Pacific Science Center on the Seattle Center campus.
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, and Friday 10 am-5 pm. Thursday 10 am-9 pm. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 10 am-6 pm. The exhibit runs through January 7th, 2007.
Admission: General admission to the Pacific Science Center is required. $10 adults; $7 Juniors (3-12), $8.50 Seniors (65+). Additional admission for the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit is $9.75 adults, $3 Juniors, $8 Seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office or online (courtesy charge applies to online purchases).
Whether you consider yourself religious, spiritual, or not at all, this is one of the greatest manuscripts exhibits that you’re likely to see.
Photo credit: Pacific Science Center
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