Archaeology: A New Find Of Dead Sea Scrolls

A new and amazing find of further scroll fragments in Israel.

Fox News: Israeli experts discover new Dead Sea Scrolls

Israeli archaeologists on Tuesday announced the discovery of dozens of new Dead Sea Scroll fragments bearing a biblical text found in a desert cave and believed hidden by Jewish refugees during a Jewish revolt against Rome nearly 1,900 years ago.

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The newly found fragments of parchment bear lines of Greek text from the books of Zechariah and Nahum and have been radiocarbon-dated to the second century A.D., according to the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The Qumeran cave complex is extensive, hard to access, and with more finds occurring as it continues to be explored.

The exploration of the cave located on a cliff face, the Cave of Horrors, so named for the many bodies found in it during an earlier exploration, resulted in the find of these scroll fragments. 

In addition to the scroll fragments, and found even deeper in the same cave, was a neolithic woven basket 10,500 years old which is one of the oldest if not the oldest intact woven basket ever found, which is another impressive find.

Israel Day 4: The Dead Sea

We headed down the highway and on our way to the Dead Sea we passed by Masada.

More on Masada in just a bit.

We arrived at the Dead Sea, one of the lowest places on earth, and checked into our hotel and then headed to the sea.

The Dead Sea is about 30% salt and other minerals.

Looking at the bottom, you sea a layer of crystallized salt above the sandy bottom. Walking in is a bit harsh on the feet, but the water is like a very warm to almost hot bath temperature wise.

A Few Important notes on the Dead Sea:

1. It tastes awful. Really, really awful.

2. If you have any cuts or scrapes, the Dead Sea will find and remind you of each and every one.

3. If you get Dead Sea water in your eyes, you will have a burning desire to wash them out, fast.

4. You really can't swim in it. Any attempts at a front stroke will leave you looking like an off-balanced monkey having relations with a football. Paddling out on your back is the way to go.

But once you get out into the water it is magical.

You float effortlessly. You can have your hands and feet out of the water and you don't sink. Its warm, soothing and like relaxing in the finest spa. Its also a lot of fun as you can try but you can't sink even with both hands and feet out of the water and you just enjoy floating around in this amazing sea.

It's incredibly relaxing to soak in the Dead Sea.

Some people at the hotel to the spa and covered themselves in Dead Sea mud which is supposed to be great for the skin. I will say we all felt great after bathing in the Dead Sea, nice and refreshed and it was a really unique and great experience.

Then dinner at the hotel, which was excellent buffet-style and then we easily fell asleep after a big hot day.

Next stop: Masada.

A Dive Location To Add To The Diving Bucket List: The Dead Sea

Diving where few men have dived before

What's more, Bresler runs tours for extreme diving fans in the cloudy Dead Sea.

"The water is warm but it's as if you're in the Antarctic. Everything is white; it looks like you're diving in ice. The water glitters because of all the salt. It really is another world," Bresler tells ISRAEL21c.

The Dead Sea has always been one of Israel's most popular destinations. It is the lowest point on Earth and a place renowned for its vistas, healing powers and natural beauty.

There's a few cool pictures at the link and it gives a neat description of the extra weight requirements for diving the saline intense Dead Sea.

I remember many years ago effortlessly floating in the Dead Sea while sitting upright due to its the high mineral content - you certainly can't sink or dive it unless you add a lot of lead weight.

I also vividly remember how the salts in the water found every single cut and scratch that day.

To think that you can now have an opportunity to dive it now is just plain cool.