MONTREAL, Quebec, Canada, June 26, 2003 — The oldest known Biblical Hebrew texts, and rare First and Second Temple-era artifacts are on exhibit in Canada for the first time.
As reported on the Bible Network News website in April, the first of two Canadian exhibitions of the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient artifacts went on display last week at the Montreal Museum of Archeology and History at Pointe-à-Callière last week.
The exhibit, entitled "Archeology in the Bible: From King David to the Dead Sea Scrolls" runs until November 2, before moving to the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau, Quebec, from December 5, 2003 to April 12, 2004 under the banner "Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls".
Greatest Archaeological Discovery
The Dead Sea Scrolls, which date back to between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, are almost a thousand years older than any other manuscripts of Hebrew Biblical texts. The first of the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 in a cave near Khirbet Qumran, east of Jerusalem on the shores of the Dead Sea, when a goat herder found them while looking for a missing animal. Their discovery is probably "the single greatest moment of archaeological discovery of modern times" according to James Snyder, Director of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Additional scrolls and scroll fragments were subsequently discovered in other caves near Qumran between 1949 and 1956.
Portions of three of the seven scrolls from the initial find in 1947 are on exhibit, including: The War of the Sons of Light with the Sons of Darkness (War Rule Scroll), the Community Rule and Isaiah B. The War Rule Scroll and the Isaiah Scroll have never before left Israel, while the Community Rule Scroll has not been in North America since 1954, when it was acquired from an American collector.
Biblical History on Exhibit
Along with the scrolls, some 100 archeological pieces of notable quality and historical significance are on display. In many cases, the artifacts have never before been seen outside the state of Israel.
Objects in the exhibit date back as far as the days of King David, 1000 years B.C., through to the destruction of the Second Temple by the Romans, in 68 A.D.
Some of the artifacts present direct evidence of people and places referred to the Biblical narrative. For example, a stele (inscribed stone block) found in 1993 in Galilee, and dating from the ninth century B.C., is the oldest known object referring to the royal line of King David. "We are delighted to present an exhibition in which some of the pieces are the only known material evidence of significant Biblical sites and figures," says Francine Lelièvre, Executive Director of Pointe-à-Callière, "The Bible remains one of the cornerstones in the history of humankind and of two of its great religions, Judaism and Christianity."
Also on exhibit is an inscribed ivory pomegranate from the 8th century B.C., one of the few artifacts ever discovered from the First Temple of Jerusalem, built by Solomon, King David's son.
The exhibits offer a unique opportunity for Canadians to learn more about the historical context of the Bible. "Through these archaeological discoveries, visitors will be able to learn about an ancient civilization and religions that are very much part of our lives today" observes Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation.
When renovations have been completed at the Shrine of the Book in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem - most likely in mid-2004 - the scrolls will be returned to their permanent residence.
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