Recent AI breakthroughs have given us a fresh look at one of history’s most intriguing finds—the Dead Sea Scrolls. Once believed to date from the 3rd century B.C. to the 1st century A.D., new evidence suggests these texts might be even older, a discovery that could reshape our understanding of early Judaism and Christianity.
Mladen Popovic, the study’s lead author and a dean at the University of Groningen, puts it plainly: “The Dead Sea Scrolls have completely changed how we view ancient Judaism and early Christianity.” Out of around 1,000 manuscripts examined, more than 200 are biblical Old Testament texts, which are among the oldest copies of the Hebrew Bible ever found.
The research, published in the journal PLOS One, combines tried-and-tested radiocarbon dating with AI-powered text analysis. Researchers used an AI model called “Enoch” to analyse 135 scrolls, supplementing carbon dating results provided by the Israel Antiquities Authority. By removing chemical residues from previous tests, the study confirms that some scrolls could be one to two centuries older than originally believed.
Joe Uziel from the Israel Antiquities Authority adds, “These manuscripts aren’t merely the oldest surviving copies of these texts; they are among the earliest written records we have.”
The implications extend well beyond dating. The findings hint at a broader literacy in ancient communities, opening up new avenues for historical research. With only about 10% of the scrolls studied so far, there remains a wealth of information yet to be uncovered.
This work serves as a clear example of how modern technology can shed new light on age-old mysteries. If you’ve ever been curious about how tech and history intersect, this is a superb reminder that fresh insights can come from wherever you least expect them.
