Qumran Archaeology

Located on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, Qumran is the site of a Jewish settlement that most scholars believe was inhabited by an Essene community responsible for the composition of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The settlement was constructed in the Hasmonean period, likely during the reign of John Hyrcanus I (134–104 BCE), and was later abandoned, perhaps after an earthquake and fire that occurred in 31 BCE. The site was rebuilt in 4 BCE and was occupied by the sect until 68 CE, when it was abandoned in the midst of the First Jewish Revolt, and was ultimately destroyed by the Romans.

The main structure at Qumran consists of several rooms surrounding a courtyard, with a watchtower at the northwestern corner. One of these rooms seems to have functioned as a scriptorium for the composition and copying of scrolls. Additional buildings included living quarters, a refectory, a pottery workshop, and mikvaot (ritual baths). The scrolls were discovered in eleven caves surrounding the settlement, where they were deposited in earthenware jars.