SECRETS OF THE PAST REVEALED
NEW YORK, May 24 -- The world renowned Shrine of the Book Museum in Jerusalem, home to the famous Dead Sea Scrolls, will reopen its doors to the public in June, 2004, for the first time in over a year due to renovations. The ancient manuscripts housed in the museum are considered to be some of the world’s most important archeological discoveries, and have shed light on the origins of Rabbinical Judaism and early Christianity, as well as ancient Israel society during the Roman period.
The Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in 11 caves near Khirbet Qumran, on the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea. Over 2,000 years old, the scrolls are the largest collection of manuscripts ever found from the ancient world. Over 850 manuscripts are written in Hebrew and Aramaic, representing the earliest evidence in the world for the biblical text.
The Shrine of the Book Museum, noted for its unique structure, has become a fixture of the Jerusalem landscape. Two-thirds of the building lies below the ground and is reflected in the water of a surrounding pool. The Dead Sea Scroll exhibition is designed in the shape of a massive cave similar to its place of origin. An enormous white dome rises above the scrolls, which symbolizes the lids of the jars in which some of the scrolls were found.
Whether a history buff, a person interested in his or her roots, or an admirer of exceptional architecture, the Shrine of the Book Museum will add to your Israel experience. The Shrine of the Book Museum is part of the Israel Museum, which is located on Ruppin Boulevard in Jerusalem, next door to the Knesset. For further information on the Shrine of the Book Museum, visit http://www.imj.org.il/eng/shrine/
For further information, visit our pressroom at www.goisrael.com/pressroom or contact Ronn Torossian at 212-999-5585.
