Scrolls From the Dead Sea:
The Ancient Library of Qumran and Modern Scholarship

RESOURCE MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS

SELECTIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barry, Iris. Discovering Archaeology. London: Trewin Copplestone Books, 1981.

A well-illustrated introduction to the way archaeologists work, the historic treasures they find, the conclusions they draw.

Carey, Helen H. How to use maps and globes. New York: Franklin Watts, 1983.

Clearly written explanation of how maps and globes are designed and how to use them.

Discoveries in the Judaean Desert series, I - IX. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1955 - 1992.

The DJD is the official publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Additional volumes are planned over the next few years. The series includes identification, dating, and other technical information about the texts. Teachers should be aware of this scholarly series even though it may be inappropriate for use by most secondary school students.

Fitzmyer, Joseph A. The Dead Sea Scrolls: Major Publications and Tools for Study. Society of Biblical Literature Resources for Biblical Study, no. 20. Atlanta, Ga: Scholars Press, 1990.

A basic reference book that allows you to see what has been published about each scroll.

Fitzmyer, Joseph A. Responses to 101 Questions on the Dead Sea Scrolls. New York: Paulist Press, 1992.

Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the scrolls by a prominent scholar in the field.

Hackwell, W. John. Signs, Letters, Words. New York: Scribner's, 1987.

A history of writing as put together from archaeological evidence.

Shanks, Hershel, editor. Understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls: A Reader from the Biblical Archaeology Review. New York: Random House, 1992.

Anthology of articles by various authors with different points of view which provides a popular introduction to the controversy surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls. The editor was responsible for getting the scrolls exposed to the world through facsimile editions.

Vermes, Geza. The Dead Sea Scrolls In English. 3rd edition. London: Penguin Books, 1990.

An authoritative translation of the scrolls by an Oxford scholar. In hardback and paperback editions.

Vermes, Geza. The Dead Sea Scrolls: Qumran in Perspective. Revised edition. Philadelphia, Fortress Press, 1977.

Presents the view that the scrolls are a product of the Essenes, a sectarian group. Provides a good introduction on a scholarly level. Available in hardback and paperback editions. The author is the keynote speaker at the Library of Congress symposium.

Wilson, Edmund. Israel and the Dead Sea Scrolls. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 1978.

Excellent introduction by a famous critic concerning the discovery and early theories about the Qumran community. First appeared in the New Yorker in the 1950's where it served to introduce millions of Americans to the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Yadin, Yigael. The Temple Scroll: The Hidden Law of the Dead Sea Sect. New York: Random House, 1985.

Describes the last large scroll -- the Temple Scroll -- to be uncovered. The profuse illustrations and accessible content make this a worthwhile book for secondary school use.

SELECTIVE LIST OF FILMS

The Arab World. [Videorecording]. Middleton, WI: Knowledge Unlimited, 1988. 20 min., col., vhs. Incl. tchr's. guide. Tel: 608-836-6660

Depicts the Arab world as the gateway to Africa, Asia, and Europe. The earliest civilizations and three major world religions took root in this part of the world. It is rich in one of the most vital natural resources, oil, and in the 20th century, it has been a land in nearly constant turmoil & conflict.

The Archaeologist and How He Works. [Videorecording]. Chicago, IL: International Film Bureau, Inc. 1965. 18 min., col., vhs; beta; 3/4". Tel: 312-427-4545

Filmed on an actual archaeological expedition and shows all phases of the operation from planning, to handling materials, to follow-up work in museums.

The Dead Sea in Biblical Times. [Videorecording]. New York, NY: Doko Communications, Inc. 1988. col., vhs; beta. Tel:212-686-6160

Visits many sites important to Christianity and Judaism.

Dead Sea Scrolls. [Film]. Panorama City, CA: Family Films, 1960. 15 min., col., 16mm. Address: 14622 Lanarck St., Panorama City, CA 91402

Shows the caves and sites where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The thousands of fragments being worked on by scholars and other scenes emphasize the importance of the discovery of the scrolls.

Israel: History, Land & People. [Videorecording]. New Y, NY: Phoenix/ BFA Films & Video, 1978. 18 min., col., vhs; beta; 16mm. Tel: 800-221-1274

Tells the story of the Jewish people and their homeland starting with Biblical times. Moves through Jewish history to the establishment of modern Israel in 1948.

Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls. [Film]. Madison, WI: Bureau of Audio-Visual Instruction, {Univ. of WI-La Crosse}, 1972. 25 min., col., 16 mm. Tel: 800-831-9504

Shows the caves where the scrolls and fragments were found and rooms in the ruins of Qumran on the shores of the Dead Sea. Dr. Charles Fritsch interviews Dr.Yigael Yadin about the Temple Scroll and the monastic sect of Essenes.

Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls. [Videorecording]. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities, Inc., 1992. 60 min., col,. vhs; beta; 3/4". Tel: 800-257-5126

Originally presented on the PBS Nova series. Documents how the scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin shepherd, smuggled to Bethlehem, and sold on the black market to antiquities dealers. Discusses the meaning of the scrolls and the scholarly debate concerning the scrolls and the Qumran ruin.

OTHER SOURCES

American Schools of Oriental Research
711 West 40th Street, Suite 354
Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: (301) 889-1383
Dr. Eric M. Meyers, President

Conducts archaeological research on the peoples and cultures of the Near East, from the early to modern periods. Maintains data bases. Publishes the Biblical Archeologist, the Journal of Cuneiform Studies, a monograph series, and a quarterly newsletter.

Biblical Archaeology Society
3000 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20008
Phone: (202) 387-8888

Publishers of the influential journal, Biblical Archaeology Review as well as other publications relating to the Dead Sea scrolls and Near Eastern archaeology.

Israel Exploration Society
P. O. Box 7041
Jerusalem, 91070, Israel

Publishes a journal and monograph series in English on archaeology of the Holy Land.

Near East Archaeological Society
c/o Dr. W. Harold Mare
Covenant Theological Seminary
12330 Conway Road
St. Louis, MO 63141
Phone: (314) 434-4044

Promotes archaeological and biblical research in Israel and the surrounding Near East region. Publishes a journal and provides information.

Society of Biblical Literature
1549 Clairmont Road, Suite 204
Decatur, GA 30033-4635
Phone: (404) 636-4744
David J. Lull, Executive Director

Supports the study of ancient languages, textual criticism, history, and archaeology of the Near Eastern and Mediterranean regions. Maintains data bases. Publishes a journal and educational and reference materials.

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