AI Study Shows Dead Sea Scrolls Are Much Older Than Believed

Published Date : 08/06/2025 

New research combining artificial intelligence and radiocarbon dating suggests that the Dead Sea Scrolls may be much older than originally believed, potentially rewriting our understanding of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. 

The ancient Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in the Judean Desert, are likely much older than initially thought, according to a groundbreaking study that combines radiocarbon dating with artificial intelligence (AI). This research, published in the journal PLOS One, has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of ancient religious texts.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of over 1,000 manuscripts, have long been a subject of fascination for scholars and historians. These scrolls, which include some of the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible, have provided invaluable insights into ancient Judaism and early Christianity. Mladen Popovic, lead author of the study and dean of the Faculty of Religion, Culture, and Society at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, emphasized the significance of the findings.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

A: The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of over 1,000 ancient manuscripts discovered in the Judean Desert. They include some of the oldest known copies of the Hebrew Bible and provide valuable insights into ancient Judaism and early Christianity.

Q: How were the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered?

A: The Dead Sea Scrolls were first discovered in 1947 by Bedouin shepherds in the Judean Desert, an area now part of the West Bank. Since then, archaeologists have recovered thousands of remnants of these ancient documents.

Q: What new technology was used in the study?

A: The study combined radiocarbon dating with an AI-powered model called 'Enoch' to analyze the textual characters contained in the scrolls. This dual approach allowed for a more accurate dating of the scrolls.

Q: What did the study reveal about the age of the scrolls?

A: The study revealed that the scrolls are older than initially thought, with some dating back to the 3rd century B.C., which is one to two centuries earlier than previously believed.

Q: What are the implications of this new research?

A: The findings suggest that literacy was more widespread in the region than previously thought and provide valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of the scrolls. This could potentially rewrite our understanding of ancient Judaism and early Christianity. 

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