Scroll fragments contain verses from the books of the prophets Zechariah and Nahum. The scroll was written in Greek.
Archaeologists have been working in the caves and rocks of the Judean desert since 2017, “as part of a national operation to prevent ancient looting,” the press release said.
The basket depicted here is considered to be the oldest perfect example in the world. Deposit: Yaniv Burman / Israel Antiquities
The teams also found a child’s 6,000-year-old skeleton, rare coins and a complete basket, believed to be the world’s oldest 10,500 years ago.
Found 70 years ago in caves around Kumran, the Dead Sea Scroll is one of the most notable scriptural discoveries in archeology, including ancient versions of the Hebrew Bible and other Jewish texts dating to the time of Jesus. Most of the scrolls are kept in the Book of the Book, part of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
Archaeologists also found these rare coins. Deposit: Offer Sion / Israel Antiquities
Fragments of the latest scroll were found in Cave Horf Horror, about 80 meters (262 feet) below a cliff in the Judean Desert. It can only be reached by ascending from above.
Since the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered 70 years ago, the area has been attracting the attention of robbers, according to a press release. The climatic conditions of the area mean scrolls and ancient documents are exceptionally well preserved.
“The purpose of this national initiative is to protect this rare and important heritage property from the clutches of looters,” said Israel Haasan, director of the Antiquities Authority of Israel, who sought more resources to complete the recovery operation.
This place is known as the Cave of Horror. Deposit: Iton Klein / Israel Antiquities Authority
“Before the robbers do, we must make sure that we recover all the data that has been found so far in the caves. Some things are out of value.”
Hananya Hizmi, chief of the archeology department of the West Bank Civil Administration, said it was a “thrilling moment” and that the results of the operation shed more light on the region’s history.
“This is a testament to the rich, diverse and complex lifestyles as well as the harsh climatic conditions in the region hundreds and thousands of years ago,” Hizmi said.
Since October 2017, teams have surveyed 80 kilometers (49.7 miles) of desert caves, many of which are virtually inaccessible, according to a press release.
Eleven texts have been recited, including parts of the Greek translation of Zechariah 8: 16-17. Verses were identified on the second piece of Nahum 1: 5-6.
Archaeologists had to enter the cave of horror. Deposit: Iton Klein / Israel Antiquities Authority
Archaeologists have also discovered a partial crystallization of a 6-7 year old child, buried in a shallow pit under two flat stones and wrapped in a cloth, which is 6,000 years old.
Ronit Lupu, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority, said it was clear that whoever buried the child wrapped it around him and pushed the edge of the cloth under it, as the parents wrapped their child in a blanket.
“The wrapping of the baby’s skeleton and clothing was significantly preserved, and due to the weather conditions in the cave, natural breastfeeding took place; the skin, tendons and hair were also partially preserved over time.”
Centuries of hot and dry climates mean that large baskets, with a capacity of 90-100 liters and made from plant material, can give a new insight into how products were stored about 1000 years before the invention of pottery, the press release said.
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