8 The Dead Sea Scrolls and Aleppo Codex by Chava Block
Investigating the Great Isaiah Scroll: historical inquiry
Dead Sea Scroll number 28a (1Q28a), from Qumran Cave 1 by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
| Curriculum context
|
NSW Syllabus, Stage 6. Unit 1 – The Investigation of Ancient Sites and Sources |
| Historical context
|
The Dead Sea Scrolls |
| Historical thinking concepts
|
Historical significance
Historical interpretations |
| Learning intentions
|
To develop students’ understanding of the historical significance and contested authorship of the Dead Sea Scrolls. |
Tuning in
Watch these short videos:
Finding out
Jigsaw activity: Interpretations of the authorship of the Dead Sea Scrolls
1. You will be moved into four home groups. Discuss what you know about the Dead Sea Scrolls and questions you have.
2. Each person moves into one of the expert groups to read the following article and answer the following questions together.
Articles for groups
Group 1: Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? (Lawler, 2010)
Group 2: Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? (Biblical Archaeology Society Staff, 2021)
Group 3: The origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Golb, 1995)
Group 4:
Questions
- What are the Dead Sea Scrolls, and why are they important?
- When were the Dead Sea Scrolls discovered and how?
- Who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls, according to your article?
- Why do you think your article has that perspective and interpretation?
3. Move back to your home group and share the interpretation of the article analysed in the expert groups. Work together to answer these questions:
- Why are there so many different theories on the authorship of the Dead Sea Scrolls?
- How are religious beliefs and practices connected to the Dead Sea Scrolls?
4. Each home group will choose representatives who will present their group’s answers, which will open up class discussion about the limitations and potential biases of the historical research, as well as introduce the notion of contestability–interpretations are open to debate.
Going further
Based the following links, answer the following questions:
Chapter 1: English translation of the Great Isaiah Scroll
- What makes the Great Isaiah Scroll one of the most significant and unique scrolls among the Dead Sea Scrolls?
- Compare and contrast the two translations of Chapter 1 of the Book of Isaiah. Write down a few of the differences (spelling, content etc.).
- How does the Great Isaiah Scroll’s numerous translations lead to subsequent interpretations by scholars?
- Does the Great Isaiah Scroll allude to any religions and practices? What do you think it shows about the historical context of the time?
Reflection
5. Based on the class discussion and your own curiosity, you will create your own inquiry question about the Dead Sea Scrolls and construct a mind map based on that question. This can become the basis of a historical inquiry.
References
Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: Complete Edition. New York: Longman.
Biblical Archaeology Society Staff (BAS). (2021). Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? Biblical Archaeological Society, https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/dead-sea-scrolls/who-wrote-the-dead-sea-scrolls-2/
History. n.d. Ancient Aliens: Dead Sea Scrolls Reveal Noah’s True Origins, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilGqr7-7jlc
Golb, N. (1995). The Origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls, Fathom Archive, https://fathom.lib.uchicago.edu/1/777777190227/.
Lawler, A. (2010). Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/who-wrote-the-dead-sea-scrolls-11781900/
PhD n.d. The Dead Sea Scrolls. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLQB-Y97bxk
Schuster, R. (2021). So, Who Really Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? Haaretz, https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2021-03-16/ty-article-magazine/.highlight/who-wrote-the-dead-sea-scrolls-truth-is-no-one-is-sure/0000017f-f498-d460-afff-fffec77c0000
Sharp, H., Dallimore, J., Bedford, A., Kerby, M., Goulding, J., Heath, T. C., & Zarmati, L. (2021). Teaching Secondary History. Cambridge University Press.
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. (2023). The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls, Israel Museum, http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/isaiah
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. (2023). The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls, English Translations of the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 1, Israel Museum, http://dss.collections.imj.org.il/chapters_pg
VCAA. (2020). VCE Study Design: History 2022-2026. Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/history/Pages/index.aspx
