Qumran seminar: archeology and material philology

The Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in the vicinity of Qumran are archeological artefacts found in two sets of caves (natural caves on the limestone cliffs and man-made caves on the marl platform). The seminar includes two units: the first aims to investigate the differences between the two sets of caves in relation to the presence of the manuscripts. We will discuss a framework for the analysis of the contexts and for the reconstruction of the mode of deposition. The research question concerns why the scrolls were deposited in two different sets of caves. The second unit will be focused on the scrolls as archaeological artefacts and material philology.  The great Isaiah Scroll will be the case study.

Examining the material contexts in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and proposing a convenient explanation for the deposition of the Scrolls in the natural caves of the Qumran area; promote a methodological reflection on the relationship between data, hypothesis, and interpretation.

Mixed

Seminar sessions, group work on the contents of the seminar, and discussion. The seminar will be held in English.

Active participation and a written paper.