The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls & Related Literature) [Paperback]

Jodi Magness (Author)

Book Description

Series: Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls & Related Literature | Publication Date: July 2003

The Dead Sea Scrolls are among the most interesting and important archaeological discoveries ever made, and the excavation of the Qumran community itself has provided invaluable information about Judaism and the Jewish world in the last centuries B.C.E. Like the Dead Sea Scrolls, however, the Qumran site continues to be the object of intense scholarly debate. In a book meant to introduce general readers to this fascinating area of study, veteran archaeologist Jodi Magness here provides an overview of the archaeology of Qumran and presents an exciting new interpretation of this ancient community based on information found in the Dead Sea Scrolls and other contemporary documents. Magnesss work offers a number of fresh conclusions concerning life at Qumran. She agrees that Qumran was a sectarian settlement but rejects other unconventional views, including the view that Qumran was a villa rustica or manor house. By carefully analyzing the published information on Qumran, she refines the sites chronology, reinterprets the purpose of some of its rooms, and reexamines the archaeological evidence for the presence of women and children in the settlement. Numerous photos and diagrams give readers a firsthand look at the site. Written with an experts insight yet with a journalists spunk, this engaging book is sure to reinvigorate discussion of this monumental archaeological find.

Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802826873
• ISBN-13: 978-0802826879
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All things old..., June 11, 2003

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature) (Hardcover)

The archaeology and scriptural/textual studies of the Dead Sea Scrolls have held the public imagination for much of the past half-century. Since the first Scrolls were discovered not far from the ancient site of Qumran in the late 1940s, there has been an air of mystery and intrigue around them unlike almost any other archaeological find. This is largely because of the association with the text of the Bible and the undeniable impact it has had on modern culture. The book The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls is a welcome addition to the ranks of basic introductory texts on the topic.

The author, Jodi Magness, is on the faculty of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Her professional interests centre largely on early Judaism, and include such topics as ancient pottery, ancient synagogue architecture and construction, the role of the Roman Army in the Eastern Empire, and, of course, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumrani settlement. An experienced field archaeologist, she has participated in twenty different excavations in the Middle East and Greece, including work at Masada, the great fortress in the south of Israel that was a `last stand' spot during the Jewish revolt against the Romans.

An Introduction to the Archaeology of Qumran
In her first chapter, Magness looks at the basics of Qumran. Not a tourist hot-spot until fairly recently, for much of its excavation history it has been a desolate and remote location. One problem Magness highlights is that the primary person associated with archaeological excavation of Qumran, Roland de Vaux, who was also part of the controversial scroll research and translation team, never published a final report on his archaeological studies. There were several preliminary and introductory reports (not all of which have been made available in English translation to this day), but de Vaux died before finishing. Truth be told, this is not a problem unique to de Vaux or to Qumran, and publications such as Biblical Archaeology Review have highlighted the problem of archaeologists who do not follow through with their research by putting it into publication.

Magness cautions against looking at her work as anything definitive. This is more of an introduction and overview of the current state of affairs. She gives further in this chapter a brief introduction for the untrained in archaeological methodology, a survey of dating techniques, and a look at why Qumran is controversial. Arachaeology is far from an exact science; dependent upon interpretation and knowledge of ancient human behaviours, it is subject to multiple interpretations and constant revision in the light of new finds. Qumran is awash in multiple interpretations as to the nature of the community there and the use of rooms and artifacts found there.

Subsequent chapters cover the following topic in some detail, outlining continuing areas of question and controversy, as well as Magness's own theories.

-The Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Exploration of Qumran
-The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Community at Qumran
-The Buildings and Occupation Phases of Qumran
-What Do Pottery and Architecture Tell Us about Qumran?
-Communal Meals, a Toilet, and Sacred Space at Qumran
-Miqva'ot at Qumran
-Women and the Cemetery at Qumran
-The Temple Tax, Clothing, and the Anti-Hellenizing Attitude of the Sectarians

The Settlements at Ein Feshkha and Ein el-Ghuweir

Magness concludes by looking at two settlements also at the north end of the Dead Sea that have a relationship with Qumran. She describes the layout and buildings, as well as some of the finds associated with them. Magness is wary of direct connections being assumed between Qumran and these other nearby settlements. In some cases time frame conflicts, and in others simply a lack of any direct evidence leads to her suspicion. However, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence and she allows that there might have been relationship between the three sites.

Extra stuff
At the beginning of the book is a brief introduction followed by a series of plates, maps and line-art drawings. Sixty-six figures in all, these are all placed up front for ready reference, as many will be useful and referred to again and again throughout the text of the chapters.

In addition to these chapters, Magness includes indexes in several different categories. There is an index by Author and Contemporary Historical Figures; there is an index of Scrolls, Biblical Books, Extrabiblical Books, and Historical Figures; and there is an index of Sites and Place Names. These, in addition to the general index, make this a very practical and useful book for ready research.

At the conclusion of each chapter, Magness has a narrative bibliography directing the reader/researcher to more broad and in-depth information about the topics discussed. Given the recent publication date, this information makes this text a great ready-reference resource for further Dead Sea Scroll and Qumran research.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Well-written Study, April 25, 2003

By 

Christian Observer (Manassas, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature) (Hardcover)

In this well-written study Jodi Magness helps us see how people lived at Qumran and why they did things as they did. Unlike many scholars, Jodi Magness is persoanl in her reporting and evaluating. She speaks from experience as a working archaeologist. The Intoduction the Archaeology of Qumran is a fascinating overview of the field. Maps and illustrations add to the value of the introduction and the chapters which follow. Each of the ten chapters has an extensive bibliography to encourage in-depth study. Reading this book will not only add depth to Bible study but it will challenge the reader to see and appreciate more the world around him. What do the items found in our own backyards tell about people who lived where we do? Jodi Magness teaches in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has participated in 20 different excavations in Israel and Greece.

15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended, October 23, 2002

By 

Stephen Goranson (Durham, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature) (Hardcover)

Prof. Magness, an archaeologist with extensive relevant experience, provides in this book a fine treatment of the archaeology of Qumran, the site associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Associated, that is, by archaeology, as well as by proximity and by the content of the scrolls and external sources. This is now the best interpretation of the evidence--and she directly engages the material realia--currently in print, to my knowledge. Of course, as she acknowledges, this will not be the last word on the subject, as some excavated evidence has not yet been published. But enough is known of the material culture to explore many aspects of the site and its usage and chronology.
She analyses many of the previous proposals and shows several of them to be not credible. While I don't agree on every detail (e.g., the "toilet" might be listed with a question mark, as previously, pending further data) and while I could add--as could she!--more observations (e.g. for me, that Pliny's source on Essenes wrote circa 15 BCE; that the etymology of "Essenes" from Hebrew self-designations in the DSS, 'osey hatorah, observers of torah is increasingly recognized [she notes the option]), it's a pleasure to read this book. It is clearly written and well-informed (bibliographies are provided), unlike, for instance, the approach that denies Essenes while denying denying Essenes (as too hard to know, so bracket them out, yet use Josephus for all other subjects, including those harder to know), or the approach that alternates from saying goodbye to Essenes and then that Essenes cannot be located (how then are they to be excluded?--can't have it both ways). Subjects include: archaeology and dating methods; discoveries; DSS and Q community; buildings and occupation phases; pottery and architecture; communal meals, toilet, and sacred space; miqva'ot [ritual baths]; women; the cemetery; temple tax, clothing, and anti-Hellenizing attitude; Ein Feshkha and Ein Ghuweir. It includes indexes and 36 pages of b/w illustrations.