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orion-list Qumran cemeteries, an important new article
Joseph E. Zias, "The Cemeteries of Qumran and Celebacy: Confusion Laid to
Rest?" in Dead Sea Discoveries v.7 n.2 (2000)220-55.
Physical anthropologist Zias has presented new data, observations, and
arguments which support his finding that the central Qumran cemetery is
Essene.
He argues, among othr things, that some of the female burials outside of
the cemetery center are modern period Bedouin burials. I find that
convincing. (And cf. Kh. Abu Tabaq.) For instance, they are aligned
East-West, not North-South, shallower, with better preserved bones, with
different teeth wear, and include ankle beads of well-preserved amber
typical of Bedouin use, all differing from the central burials.
His critique of the proposal that the cemetery resulted from a battle is
notable.
There are further textual issues to be discussed concerning women in
various Qumran mss and what Josephus called those Essenes who married (here
I would differ with the article somewhat). There are still questions about
the--reportedly later--North-South burials in the Lisan, later reported
Mandaean practice, and so on.
In any case, I think Joe Zias has made a very significant contribution
with this article.
best,
Stephen Goranson
Durham NC
goranson@duke.edu
For private reply, e-mail to goranson@duke.edu
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