The Dead Sea Scrolls

Programme

The goals of the research unit are to provide a forum for scholarly discussion of the Dead Sea Scrolls and to facilitate further integration of the study of the Scrolls within the fields of biblical and cognate studies. We encourage conversation between the early transmission, reception, and interpretation of the Scrolls and other literary sources from the late Second Temple period, such as Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha and the Greek translations, as well as available inscriptions and archeological evidence. The research unit hosts two sessions annually: one open call session for papers discussing any aspect of the Dead Sea Scrolls and one session focused on a changing theme with both invited and submitted papers. The chosen themes represent some of the major discussions of the field of Dead Sea Scrolls studies and seeks to integrate various points of view, e.g., literary studies, material culture, and new interdisciplinary methods.

Dead Sea Scrolls, Qumran, Second Temple Judaism, Second Temple Literature

Chairs

Jessi Orpana
University of Helsinki

Amanda M. Davis Bledsoe
Ludwig Maximilian University Munich

Member Area

Toulouse 2022 Call for Papers

2022 marks the 75^th anniversary of the Dead Sea discoveries. To celebrate the occasion, the Dead Sea Scrolls research unit will host two special sessions in Toulouse. The first session of invited papers will offer reflections looking back on what we have learned from the Scrolls and the significance and impact of Scrolls research for the wider field of biblical studies.

A second partly-invited session will focus on “Fresh Approaches to the Dead Sea Scrolls,” and will explore new methods and perspectives in Dead Sea Scrolls research. For this session, we welcome proposals that look to move Scrolls scholarship forward and develop useful and meaningful new approaches to the Scrolls. For example, the application of theories or methods from social sciences, cognitive sciences, or gender studies. Other interdisciplinary contributions investigating the Scrolls and/or their socio-cultural-historical contexts are also welcome.

For the 2022 meeting, we additionally welcome proposals for an open session. Papers are welcome on any topic related to the Dead Sea Scrolls or the material culture of Qumran. We especially welcome papers that relate the Scrolls to their broader social and cultural milieu.