1. The Dead Sea Scrolls
Discovered in the caves near Qumran in the late 1940s, the Dead Sea Scrolls rank among the most significant archaeological finds of the twentieth century. These ancient manuscripts include some of the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible, dating back over 2,000 years. Their remarkable consistency with later biblical texts demonstrates the careful preservation and transmission of scripture across generations. The scrolls also offer a vivid glimpse into Jewish beliefs and practices during the Second Temple period. Learn more at Smithsonian Magazine.
