One Tank Trip /Royal Ontario Museum
The Dead Sea Scrolls come to Toronto
In 1947, two Bedouin shepherds searching for a stray goat stumbled upon 2,000-year-old parchment scrolls in a desert cave, unintentionally making the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century.
The now-famous Dead Sea Scrolls are fragments of remarkably preserved biblical and secular writings from 250 B. C. to A. D. 68. These beautifully inscribed ancient documents are some of the most important ever discovered, providing a phenomenal window into a pivotal time in history.
The extreme fragility and value of the Dead Sea Scrolls mean they rarely travel from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, but until Jan. 3, you can view some of these seminal documents at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. The exhibit not only displays these ancient relics but also helps us understand their significance.
“One of the exhibit’s goals,” says Dan Rahimi, gallery developer and archaeologist, “is to give visitors the context; to show what was going on in 13th century B. C., a time of major, major change.”
Before reaching the scrolls, visitors go through a few rooms that, in a way, give a tour of Jerusalem and Qumran, where the scrolls were found. Artifacts from 2,000 years ago—glass bottles, jars, jewelry, cooking pots, oil lamps and bone carvings— reveal a glimpse of life at that time. Rahimi says that as an archaeologist, the first thing he thinks of when he uncovers an artifact is, “Whose hands last touched this, and what were they doing with it?” And when you look at some of the items on display, like the remains of a tattered Roman tunic, it’s hard not to wonder about the person who wore it.
The collection gives you an excellent sense of what life was like at that time, setting the scene before you even catch sight of the scrolls. Videos provide background and introduce some of the mysteries surrounding the documents. One of the greatest riddles is how they ended up in the Qumran caves. In the presentation, three scholars convincingly present their theories as to why they were found in this location.
“The jury is still out,” Rahimi says when asked what his thoughts were on this debate. He says he would rather present the information and let people make their own conclusions.
There suspense builds while going through the exhibits. Anticipation heightens as you finally enter the dimly lighted room that contains the scrolls themselves. The majesty of the writings combined with the lighting and music create a somber and contemplative atmosphere that reflects the weight of these pages’ impact on history.
Each of the eight fragments has its own case with a translation and a commentary putting the material in context. Some are biblical, including texts from Genesis, Psalms and Daniel, while others are secular, like one on papyrus of a property deed. The signature can clearly be seen.
“It’s like having an autograph of people you know about historically,” says Rahimi.
Lectures, artistic installations and special events have been planned as part of the project, designed to engage the public in debate about the significance of the ancient documents. This venture was two years in the making, and is certainly the museum’s most ambitious one since the opening of its new Crystal extension, designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. As the first blockbuster show in the new wing, it has certainly been a success, with attendance exceeding expectations.
For biblical scholars and history buffs, seeing the scrolls would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but even for the rest of us, they captivate the imagination and are truly inspiring. Looking at these fragments, the one word that kept popping out was simply, “Wow!”
If you go:
Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park. www.rom.on.ca , (416) 586-8000. Admission to “Dead Sea Scrolls: Words that Changed the World” is included with paid general admission, and timed tickets, with a limited capacity, are available at 30- minute intervals. Adults: $28; students and seniors with ID: $25; children (4 to 14 years) $15; children 3 and under are free. Exhibition viewing hours will differ from general museum hours and include extended hours on specific days at the end of the engagement. Note: There will be days when the exhibition will not be on view, so be sure to check the Web site or call ahead.
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