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

Syracuse 2023 Call for Papers

The Dead Sea Scrolls research unit will host two sessions in Syracuse. The first session will include both invited and submitted papers that closely relate to the topic: authority in/and the Dead Sea Scrolls. We welcome paper proposals for this session that contribute to the discussion of authority, broadly understood. Papers may investigate, for example, the authors’/scribes’ aims to influence, motivate, modify, and/or regulate their audience and recipients’ thoughts and actions. Additionally, wider aspects of power dynamics and mechanisms related to gaining or transmitting authority in the Scrolls are appreciated. 

For the 2023 meeting, we additionally welcome proposals for an open session 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.