Fragments of Dead Sea parchment with biblical text discovered by Israeli archaeologists

Israeli archaeologists announced the discovery of dozens of us this week Dead Sea scroll fragments. Found in a desert cave and probably hidden during a Jewish revolt against Rome nearly 1,900 years ago, the remains of biblical texts offer a rare window into the history of Judaism, the early Christian life, and mankind.

Imtiaz Tyab of CBS News reports that when the first fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found more than 70 years ago, it was widely considered one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century.

To make the new discovery, archaeologists have recalled a rock in the Cave of Horrors – so named for the dozens of human remains found inside. But while the history of the cave is as obscure as its name suggests, excavators have described what they found inside as “between heaven and earth.”

Dozens of fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered after almost two millennia. The pieces of parchment are small – some tiny – but large enough to gain wisdom, according to Dr. Oren Ableman.

“These are the things you must do,” he quotes from one of the Greek texts in the passages. “Tell each other the truth, do true and perfect justice at your gates, and do no harm to one another. And do not love false witness because these are things that I hate, says the Lord.

The arid conditions of the Jewish desert have ensured that dozens of other objects found alongside fragments of the scroll have stood the test of time, including ancient olive pits; remnants of clothing and sandals and a wooden lice comb similar to the one that could be used today.

Protecting culture or stealing it?

Archaeologist Chaim Cohen says the four-year project has been vital in protecting the treasures in the cave system from future looting.

“This project is the protection of the area because, again, it is almost impossible to defeat the robbers,” he said. “It works and the solution was to get the case in front of the robbers.”

The massive excavation site stretches over parts of southern Israel and southern Israel The West Bank occupied by Israel. Israel has long been criticized for removing objects found in the Palestinian territories.

Under international law, the seizure of cultural property from an occupied territory is prohibited, but these concerns have not prevented the Israeli Antiquities Authority from exposing the findings.

Beyond the biblical ones

Some of the artifacts go far beyond the biblical ones, including the skeleton of a small child, 6,000 years old, and an almost perfectly preserved basket, which would not seem too out of place at a home furniture store today.

“I didn’t understand because I thought the cave was empty, and when we came we were looking at a huge, intact whole basket,” said Yaniv Berman of the Antiquities Authority. He said that when they got the results of the carbon dating analysis, “we were shocked! He’s 10,500 years old!”

It was another dazzling puzzle piece from the past, found along with ancient wisdom that resonates today.