By Jennifer Lipman, October 19, 2010
The Dead Sea scrolls
"The Dead Sea scrolls will soon be available to anyone with an internet connection. Search engine Google and the Israel Antiquities Authority have revealed plans for an online archive of the scrolls, which number around 900. The images will appear in high definition, with a special camera costing more than £157,000 used to photograph the scrolls. The organizers hope that the website will be live by the beginning of 2011. Users will also be challenged by "the ultimate puzzle game"; a chance to join up the thousands of pieces of scroll into one virtual document. The scrolls, unearthed in caves near the Dead Sea by Bedouin shepherds some 2,000 years after being buried, are the oldest known Hebrew record of the Old Testament.They have only been photographed in their entirety once before, although eight of them are on display in Jerusalem. In June, Cambridge University announced plans to digitize a collection of rare books including important ancient Jewish texts and Hebrew and Arabic manuscripts rescued from a synagogue in Cairo."
I am extremely excited about Google, being able to bring the Dead Sea Scrolls into more and more homes. I hope that is we let more people see the text and enjoy them. For an excellent book concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls, I would suggest Father Joseph Fitzmyer, S.J., The Dead Sea Scrolls and Christian Origins. Although, Father Fitzmyer, seems quite dry, by reading his twelve studies on the Dead Sea Scrolls when you finish, you will be rewarded. †
By the way, look into the used and cheaper new books than Amazon's list price. Be frugal, and reward yourself.
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