The Dead Sea Scrolls are the greatest manuscript discovery of the 20th century—here’s your chance to see them.
Southwestern Seminary’s exhibition Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures features several selections from the Dead Sea Scrolls, including this parchment fragment from Isaiah B scroll, on loan from The Institute of Archaeology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Photo by Gabi Laron.
Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures is one of the largest and most comprehensive exhibitions of Dead Sea Scroll fragments ever assembled, and the largest ever presented in Texas. The Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible is at the MacGorman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. The exhibition includes 21 fragments of original Dead Sea Scrolls—at least 12 of which have, until now, only been seen privately—along with other recognized fragments and unique artifacts.
Visitors to Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible have the opportunity to view fragments of original scrolls bearing texts from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, the Psalms, Isaiah, and Daniel.
Among these are:
- Eight identified fragments and several others under study—all owned by Southwestern Seminary
- A rare large fragment from a Genesis scroll, on display for the first time (also recognized as the largest fragment of a Dead Sea Scroll to be offered for purchase in the last 45 years)
- Two fragments found in Cave 1 at Qumran, on loan from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Exact facsimiles of the Isaiah A scroll, the Manual of Discipline and the Habakkuk Commentary—all found at Qumran
- New Testament papyri and other Ancient New Testament manuscripts
- Original objects from the 1950s excavations at Qumran
Besides the scroll fragments, there are large photographs to make the details of the scrolls more visible, and translations of the texts into English and Spanish. Other ancient objects illustrating the era of the scrolls, the period of the Second Temple and the rise of Christianity, are also shown. These include coins, blown glass jars, Jewish ossuaries (inscribed stone bone containers), and household objects such as leather sandals, a comb, and Kohl (eye makeup) applicators made of copper and alabaster.
There are several hands-on activities included in and adjacent to the exhibition, including: the Scriptorium, where you can view the scrolls the way modern scholars view them, with high-resolution zoom and infrared photography; the Bedouin Tent, where you can walk through a genuine example of the living quarters used by desert nomads for the last 4,000 years; and the Qumran Simulated Dig Site, where, under the guidance of Ph.D. students, you’ll experience what it’s like to be a real archaeologist as you excavate 2,000-year-old potsherds.
Southwestern Seminary’s exhibition Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures features several selections from the Dead Sea Scrolls, including this parchment fragment from Isaiah B scroll, on loan from The Institute of Archaeology at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Photo by Gabi Laron.
Hours & Admission
Exhibition Dates: July 2, 2012 – January 13, 2013
- Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Price (A small per-ticket service charge also applies.)
| Mon – Thu | Fri – Sun | Group (10 or more) | |
| Adult | $25 | $28 | $3.00 off daily rate |
| Senior (age 62+) | $18 | $24 | $3.00 off daily rate |
| Student | $15* | $18* | $3.00 off daily rate* |
| Child** | $12 | $12 | $3.00 off daily rate |
| Active Military | Free** | Free** | Free** |
Purchase tickets online or call 877-789-0876.
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