Lecture Summary:  20 March, 2002

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QUMRAN DURING THE JEWISH REVOLTS
by
Joan Taylor
Research Associate of Waikato University

This lecture examines the so-called 'Period 3' at Kh. Qumran, the famous site associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. The excavator Roland de Vaux determined that in this period the locality was briefly occupied by Roman soldiers, who had set fire to the buildings in 68 CE, and then again by Jewish rebels during the Second Revolt of 132-5. While alternative views have been proposed, the scholarly consensus is that up until 68 CE, the site was occupied by pious Essenes, who hid the scrolls in nearby caves in advance of Vespasian's army. De Vaux's evidence and conclusions are put to the test, and new archaeological data from the site and from the caves of the surrounding area are also considered. The conclusions drawn from this reappraisal of the enigmatic Qumran settlement are presented.