(Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority/Shai Halevi)
By Sharona Schwartz - July 21, 2015
Originally appeared here on TheBlaze
A burned parchment believed to be 1,500-years-old was unearthed near the Dead Sea in 1970, but researchers have just now succeeded in deciphering the contents of the find they have called “the most ancient Hebrew scroll since the Dead Sea Scrolls.”
Though the scroll was charred and tightly rolled, scientists used CT scan technology to create cross sectional images, thus revealing the text without having to unwind the document – which would likely have further damaged or even destroyed it.
The Israel Antiquities Authority on Monday announced that the scorched scroll found at Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea 45 years ago was actually a copy of the opening verses of the Book of Leviticus which – perhaps ironically given the state of the scroll – describes laws for burnt offerings.
“To date, this is the most ancient scroll from the five books of the Hebrew Bible to be found since the Dead Sea Scrolls, most of which are ascribed to the end of the Second Temple period (first century B.C-first century C.E.),” the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a statement. Read More