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Bible verse discovered on ancient Hebrew scroll unearthed near the Dead Sea

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Scientists used high-tech micro scanners to roll out the scroll virtually.

A burned scroll, speculated to have existed for 1,500 years, was unearthed in 1970 near the Dead Sea, but scientists only now have deciphered the content of the delicate ancient parchment. They were shocked to find the most ancient Hebrew scroll contained a part of the Bible. Researchers used a micro-CT scanner to determine the content without risking the structure by opening it.

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Highlights

By Atarah Haely (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
7/22/2015 (8 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Bible Verses, Discovery, Laws on Burnt Offerings, Leviticus, Most Ancient Hebrew Scroll, Virtual Imaging

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - "To date, this is the most ancient scroll from the five books of the Hebrew Bible to be found since the Dead Sea Scrolls, most of which are ascribed to the end of the Second Temple period (first century B.C-first century C.E.)," said the Israel Antiquities Authority through a statement, as cited in The Blaze.

Ironically, the burned down ancient parchment, discovered at Ein Gedi near the Dead Sea, was inscribed with details from the laws for burnt offerings. The burned scroll turned out to be a copy of the opening verses of the Book of Leviticus, according to reports.

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It was so tightly rolled and scorched that researchers decided not to roll it out and risk damaging the whole copy. Instead, Israeli company Merkel Technologies, Ltd. used a micro-CT scanner in the creation of a high-resolution of the parchment and making 3D representations.

Using a digital imaging software, Brent Seales of the University of Kentucky was able to virtually roll out the scorched ancient scroll and visualize the text, said the Antiquities Authority.

"Thus, the great surprise and excitement when the first eight verses of the Book of Leviticus suddenly became legible."

Scientists believe the scroll was the first Torah scroll discovered in an ancient synagogue. Archaeologist Sefi Porath explained that the former inhabitants of the Ein Gedi fled away during a village fire and never returned to collect any left belongings.

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