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Title: The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls (Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature) by Jodi Magness ISBN: 0802845894 Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Pub. Date: September, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $26.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 5
Rating: 5
Summary: No Fringe Theories Allowed
Comment: Jodi Magness points out in the introduction to her book that there are two reasons why fringe theories about the Dead Sea Scrolls are numerous. The second is that "we tend to side with the underdogs." The first reason is that controversy sells. Magness shows why the available archaeological evidence supports the basic conclusions of Roland de Vaux. The scrolls and the Qumran settlement are related. The scrolls were owned by a sectarian group. The settlement is not a villa rustica. Etc. Yet Magness does not rubber stamp the work of de Vaux. For example she sets forth her own chronology of the settlement.
This book is not for people who subscribe to fringe theories. There are no Christian writings found among the scrolls. Nor are the scrolls a depository of the Temple either in 62 BCE or 68 CE. There used to be a sect known as the Essenes who lived at Khirbet Qumran...
Rating: 5
Summary: Recommended
Comment: Prof. Magness, an archaeologist with extensive relevant experience, provides in this book a fine treatment of the archaeology of Qumran, the site associated with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Associated, that is, by archaeology, as well as by proximity and by the content of the scrolls and external sources. This is now the best interpretation of the evidence--and she directly engages the material realia--currently in print, to my knowledge. Of course, as she acknowledges, this will not be the last word on the subject, as some excavated evidence has not yet been published. But enough is known of the material culture to explore many aspects of the site and its usage and chronology.
She analyses many of the previous proposals and shows several of them to be not credible. While I don't agree on every detail (e.g., the "toilet" might be listed with a question mark, as previously, pending further data) and while I could add--as could she!--more observations (e.g. for me, that Pliny's source on Essenes wrote circa 15 BCE; that the etymology of "Essenes" from Hebrew self-designations in the DSS, 'osey hatorah, observers of torah is increasingly recognized [she notes the option]), it's a pleasure to read this book. It is clearly written and well-informed (bibliographies are provided), unlike, for instance, the approach that denies Essenes while denying denying Essenes (as too hard to know, so bracket them out, yet use Josephus for all other subjects, including those harder to know), or the approach that alternates from saying goodbye to Essenes and then that Essenes cannot be located (how then are they to be excluded?--can't have it both ways). Subjects include: archaeology and dating methods; discoveries; DSS and Q community; buildings and occupation phases; pottery and architecture; communal meals, toilet, and sacred space; miqva'ot [ritual baths]; women; the cemetery; temple tax, clothing, and anti-Hellenizing attitude; Ein Feshkha and Ein Ghuweir. It includes indexes and 36 pages of b/w illustrations.
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