Qumran Caves

The Qumran Caves are a series of caves near the Dead Sea, where ancient Jewish texts known as the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956. These scrolls, dating from around 150 BCE to 70 CE, include biblical manuscripts, religious writings, and documents related to the community that lived there. The discovery significantly advanced our understanding of Jewish history and the origins of Christianity. The caves are part of the archaeological site of Qumran, believed to have been inhabited by a Jewish sect known as the Essenes.