The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, has debuted “Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition,” showcasing an impressive array of ancient Jewish manuscripts alongside 200 additional artifacts. Recent research indicates that the Dead Sea Scrolls might be older than previously believed, a finding derived from an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) model. A collaborative team of researchers from the Netherlands, Italy, and Denmark published their groundbreaking study in the journal PLOS One on June 4.
They developed an AI-based model called Enoch, named after the biblical patriarch, to analyze the scrolls. This model utilized machine learning techniques, specifically Bayesian ridge regression, to evaluate the handwriting styles of the scrolls. The researchers combined this handwriting analysis with radiocarbon dating and discovered that many scrolls date back to around 200 B.C., which is a significant shift from earlier estimates that placed the scrolls between 150 and 50 B.C.
The team asserts that there are “no compelling paleographic or historical reasons” to reject these older dates as reliable markers of time. Furthermore, the predictions generated by Enoch have led to a reevaluation of ancient Jewish texts, contributing to ongoing debates surrounding the origins of Judaism and Christianity. The authors of the study stress that the newly proposed dates for the scrolls are realistic and credible.
The Dead Sea Scrolls, discovered in desert caves in the 1940s and 1950s, have long been a focal point for scholars, offering a unique glimpse into ancient Judaism. These manuscripts contain a wealth of previously unknown religious texts from the Second Temple period, enriching our understanding of historical beliefs and practices. Their ongoing study continues to captivate both the academic community and the public.
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