Dating the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls are noteworthy because they prove the integrity of the Hebrew Bible. What is significant is that the Scrolls can be positively dated to around 100 BC, which makes them a thousand years older than the oldest texts previously available.

The Shrine of the Book
at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

Scrolls, fragments, clay jars, coins and other finds from the Qumran area are on display.

How are the Scrolls dated?

• Scholars are able to date the ancient Hebrew script, known as palaeo-Hebrew. There is no doubt about the period when this writing was in use.
• Historical references in the non-biblical scrolls of the Essenes show that they were living in herodian times.
• Archaeological evidence gives us positive dates for when the Essenes were living at Qumran.
• Carbon-14 tests
• Coins found with the Scrolls can be definitely dated.

  Seleucid tetradrachms minted in Tyre date to about 120 BC. Shekel and half-shekel coins were minted from 125 BC onwards. They were the coins prescribed for the Temple poll tax.

  Roman coins from around 50 BC were among the hoard, and there were some coins that could be dated to around 10 BC.

Shekel and half-shekel coins

Part of a hoard of 561 coins found in vessels under a doorway at Qumran.