Abstract

In 1993 the archaeological excavations at Qumran were renewed within the framework of “Operation Scroll”.  The excavations continued intermittently until 2004. Thousands of archeological finds that will be published in the near future were discovered in the renewed excavations. During the excavations, probes and soundings were conducted both in and outside the site. The aqueduct that conveyed water from the west to the site was excavated. A large paved plaza south of the site was excavated, as was an area east of the site’s eastern wall, which yielded many finds . Noteworthy among these finds are numerous intact pottery vessels, metal, stone and glass vessels, ostraca and many coins that will allow us to establish a better chronology for the site. Finds from the Iron Age, from the 7^th century BCE, were also discovered that reflect the early phase of the settlement at Qumran. Also discovered in the new excavations were animal bones in buried ceramic vessels, and the burnt wood of date-palm and palm trees.

The new evidence has resulted in a re-evaluation of the history of Qumran. It also sheds new light on several aspects of the settlement there and perhaps also provides a solution for the Qumran enigma that has engaged scholars for so many years.