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orion DSS Congress Update

An International Congress

THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS
FIFTY YEARS AFTER THEIR DISCOVERY
                                                 [Image]
Major Issues and New Approaches

Jerusalem, July 20-25, 1997

                     WATCH THE CONGRESS UNFOLD

Wednesday, July 23, 1997.

The Sciences and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Discussion continues and while speakers mainly focused on the
Qumran manuscripts, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, others discussed
finds in the Judean Desert, the Bar Kochba letters and documents
from the Second Jewish Revolt (132-135 CE). The recently treated
Copper Scroll, the most enigmatic of the Qumran finds, revealed new
data, which appears to be no less tantalising than the data
previously deciphered.

In the session devoted to the sciences and the Dead Sea Scrolls,
speakers presented their research incorporating the latest
technologies: Gregory Bearman and Sheila Spiroane of Image,
Pasadena, CA with Michael Phelps of the Ancient Biblical Manuscript
Center, Claremont, CA.

In the session entitled, "IR Imaging of Ancient Manuscripts: Do It
Yourself" the team from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
and the Ancient Biblical Manuscript Center showcased their project
whereby they apply the principles of imaging spectroscopy to
difficult Dead Sea Scroll fragments and digitally enhance images of
DSS and other ancient documents by using infra red technologies
thereby producing substantially more impressive results than has
been traditionally possible with standard film techniques.

Bruce Zuckerman, of the University of Southern California posed the
question "Just what should now be the rules of the game; what
parameters should be set for analyses of Dead Sea Scroll data from
digitally scanned images" in his paper tantalisingly called "Every
Dot and Tiddle."

He explained how the study of Dead Sea Scrolls, along with other
types of epigraphic studies, is on the verge of a technological
revolution, especially in terms of computer imaging but just how
much image manipulation is too much manipulation?

In the same session, Israel Carmi discussed the dating of Dead Sea
Scrolls by radiocarbon techniques and Gila Kahila Bar-Gal, from the
Kuvin Centre at the Hebrew University focussed on DNA analysis.

In the Ruth Youth Wing a parallel session took place where three
computer assisted research projects were demonstrated.

                 The Dead Sea Scrolls on CD-ROM , The Farms
                Electronic Database, from the Foundation for
                Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) was
                presented by, Steven Booras, Donald Parry, and Jan
                Wilson. A DSS database comprising of a
                comprehensive, fully indexed, and cross-linked
                computerised database of the Hebrew Bible and
  [Image]       transcriptions of the non-biblical DSS texts, some
                800 photographs of the scrolls, and translations.
                The low resolution images for each transcription
                included in the database can be viewed
                simultaneously and texts include all DJD
                transcriptions published through 1996 and
                preliminary versions of most transcriptions to be
                published in 1997 or later.

The Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls presented
their dynamic scholarly center on the Hebrew University campus in a
presentation that opened with the provocative question, "the Dead
Sea Scrolls, so what?" .

After half a century of patient assembly of fragments and careful
deciphering of texts, the Orion Center is now focussing its efforts
towards stimulating the process of assimilation and integretation
of the new data by offering lectures, seminars, and symposia. The
Orion Center has set itself the task of catalysing and initiating
the integration of the newly discovered material into what is
already known about the Second Temple Judaism.
 The lively presenter from Orion, Martine van den
 Berg, outlined the numerous activities at the
 Center, including the weekly coffee hour,
 (recommended by Martine), where scholars and
 researchers from Israel and abroad meet at the
 Mount Scopus Campus, in room 6115, over a cup of
 coffee and be sure to find on going lively
 discussion on the Dead Sea Scrolls.                [Image]

 At the same time, the Orion Center web-site, was
 demonstrated by Shimon from the Orion Center in
 the multimedia room at the Youth Wing, offering
 the participants an opportunity to browse through
 the site and be able to follow the Orion Centers
 extensive program:http://orion.mscc.huji.ac.il.
                                 The final presentation of this
                                 session was delivered by E.J.
                                 Brill Academic Publisher, Hans van
  [Image]                        der Mejh and Daniel Falk from
                                 Oxford University who showcased
                                 the Dead Sea Scrolls, Electronic
                                 Reference Library, a triple CD-ROM
                                 product.
 The Electronic Reference Library,
 facilitates scholarly access via
 seven search criteria: by PAM
 reference, by cave, through
 title, inventory, microfiche,     [Image]
 text and by facsimile. The
 product is subscription based and
 will be up-dated either yearly or
 two-yearly as Dead Sea Scrolls
 research continues to flourish.

Susan Hazan