1,900-Year-Old Biblical Manuscript Discovered in Israel

Israeli archaeologists have discovered fragments of biblical texts in the area near the Dead Sea. In addition, they found a 6,000-year-old mummified skeleton of a child and the world’s oldest known basket.

The Israeli Antiquities Authority announced on Tuesday, March 16 (Esfand 26), that a scroll containing biblical texts was discovered in a cave near the Dead Sea. Such a discovery has not been found in recent decades.

The scroll is written in Greek and dates to around 130 CE. The texts are likely part of the “Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets.” This book is the second major section of the Jewish Tanakh.

Discovery of the World’s Oldest Basket

Besides this document, a 6,000-year-old mummified skeleton of a child, several coins, an arrowhead, clothing, sandals, a lice comb, and a large basket were discovered.

According to experts, this basket is at least 10,500 years old and is considered the world’s oldest known basket.

Based on information from Israel’s National Antiquities Authority, some of the discovered objects date to the period of the Bar Kokhba Revolt against the Romans. This uprising, led by Shimon bar Kokhba, began in 132 CE and was suppressed approximately three years later.

It is reported that the location where the objects were hidden is inside a stone wall and is not accessible without a rope.

Source: DW