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International Art Treasures Web Magazine March 2004 |
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Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea ScrollsCanadian Museum of Civilization, Ottawa
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The exhibition includes portion of three of the first Dead Sea Scrolls. The Isaiah B Scroll, one of the oldest biblical manuscripts known, has never been displayed outside of Israel until Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls. The War Scroll also called the "War of the Sons of Light with the Sons of Darkness" describes a final war between the forces of good and evil. The Sons of Light are members of the sect that produced the scroll and their enemies are the Sons of Darkness. |
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History
It was a young Bedouin Shepard, searching for his lost goat, who stumbled across one of the greatest archaeological finds in modern time. The first seven scrolls were discovered in a desert cave in 1947. The collection includes fragment of all but one book in the Old Testament, except the Book of Esther, biblical commentary and contemporary writing.
Inscribed Stele, Tell Dan, referring to the "House of David"
9th century B.C.E.
© Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Courtesy Canadian Museum of Civilization
The Stele inscription includes a reference to the "House of David", in what is the oldest mention of King David's dynasty outside of the Bible.
The scrolls are mainly written in Hebrew but do include Aramaic and Greek.
Ossuary of Joseph, son of Caiaphas
Jerusalem
Second Temple period (6th century B.C.E. - 1st century C.E.)
© Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Courtesy Canadian Museum of Civilization
The exhibition includes artifacts significant to Biblical stories such as the Ossuary of Joseph Caiaphas, the high priest of Israel who handed Jesus over to Pontius Pilate.
The Ossuary of Yehohanan son of Hagkol Jerusalem 1st century C.E. Stone Israel Antiquities Authority Collection Courtesy Canadian Museum of Civilization |
The Ossuary of Yehohanan ben Hagkol, provides the only known evidence of crucifixion. Within the ossuary was discovered a nail embedded in the ankle bone. The execution method then favored by the Romans included leaving the dead upon the cross as a deterrent, an explanation for only one piece of evidence discovered of crucifixion. |
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Within the exhibition are early evidence of emerging faiths and the spread of Jewish symbols such as the Menorah and Christian symbols such as pendants adorned with the cross. Right: Gold, glass base, with menorah pattern
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Left: Seal of Shaphat
Amazonite on gold
8th century B.C.E.
Right: Seal of Jezebel
Grey opal
9th - 8th century B.C.E.
© Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Courtesy Canadian Museum of Civilization
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Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition is unveiled in chronological order with five specific themes. The Bible uses the Hebrew Bible as the starting point in the explanation of the artifacts. Ritual Life in the First Temple Period includes archaeological discoveries from the First Temple period dating approximately 3,000 years earlier. King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem in the 10th century B.C.E. Daily Life in the First Temple is an examination of the people and their normal routine in Ancient Israel. Second Temple Period prior to the birth of Christianity. The historical point occurs when the Jewish people rebuilt the temple after it had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia. Emerging Faiths an examination of both the Jewish and Christian symbols as they were developed. |
This exhibition is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to examine among the world's most famous and significant archaeological discoveries and ancient life in Jerusalem.
Window balustrade
Limestone
Late 8th century - early 7th century B.C.E.
© Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Courtesy Canadian Museum of Civilization
1 BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) are the international terms preferred by biblical scholars instead of BC (Before Christ) and AD (anno Domini). As a point of reference the birth of Christ is attributed to 7 or 6 BCE.