Copper Scrolls Analysis

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The Copper Scroll, first found near Khirbet Qumran in Cave 3, it is one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but it differs from the others. The other Dead Sea Scrolls had been written on papyrus or parchment while the Copper Scroll had been written on copper. Actually, it was written on copper that had been mixed with one percent tin. Instead of being a literary work like the other scrolls, this one lists the locations of valuable items such as silver and gold that have been buried or hidden. How Else Does the Copper Scroll Differ? It has been written in Hebrew, but it has a closer resemblance to the Mishnah language than to the literary Hebrew that you see with the other scrolls. However, it does share some of the language characteristics that the …show more content…

When looking at the scroll, 63 of the locations named contained silver and gold, and archaeologists estimate that it would have been in the tons range. They also listed tithing vessels in the entries, and the final entry talks about a duplicate document that names additional details. Unfortunately, archaeologists have still not found that other scroll. The minority view about the scroll would be that the listed treasures had already been recovered at the discovery of the scroll. They made the scroll in hopes of the reader having an intimate knowledge of the obscure references. For example in column two of the scroll, verses one to three says, "In the salt pit that is under the steps: forty-one talents of silver." Some believe that these were the treasures stashed away from the prying eyes of the Romans. When they estimated the possible worth of the treasure in 1960, it would top more than $1,000,000. Scholars have continued to debate whether the treasure actually exists. In 1962, John Allegro led an expedition to the places listed in the scroll, but when they excavated the area, they came back empty handed. If there is a treasure, it had either been found long ago, or it has been hidden well. The most plausible answer would be that the Romans uncovered the treasure when they destroyed the temple of Herod, searching for glory and

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