Two Canadian Museums Present the First Dead Sea Scrolls Discovered in 1947
Montréal, May 6, 2003 — Two Canadian museums will present a major exhibition of exceptionally rare artifacts from the Biblical period in Israel. The exhibition will include portions of three of the first Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 1947 in a cave near Qumran, east of Jerusalem, whose discovery was one of the most important archaeological finds of the twentieth century.
The exhibition, narrating a thousand years of history in the Holy Land, is produced by the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History at Pointe-à-Callière in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization and in collaboration with the Israel Museum and the Israel Antiquities Authority. Most of the one hundred artifacts being presented are ancient treasures from the Israel Museum and the Israel Antiquities Authority, dating from 1,200 B.C.E. to 700 C.E. and of inestimable value.
The beneficial partnership of two Canadian museums will permit both institutions to present this North American premiere event.
Archaeology and the Bible: From King David to the Dead Sea Scrolls will be presented at the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History at Pointe-à-Callière from June 17 to November 2, 2003.
Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls will be shown at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, located in Canada’s National Capital Region (Ottawa-Gatineau) from December 5, 2003 to April 12, 2004.
“We are delighted to present an exhibition in which some of the pieces are the only known material evidence of significant biblical sites and figures,” says Francine Lelièvre, Executive Director of Pointe-à-Callière. “The Bible remains one of the cornerstones in the history of humankind and of two of its great religions, Judaism and Christianity.”
“The Canadian Museum of Civilization is pleased to present an exhibition that recounts such a rich chapter in the history of humanity and brings exceptional artifacts to a Canadian audience,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. “Through these archaeological discoveries, visitors will be able to learn about an ancient civilization and religions that are very much part of our lives today.”
Visitors will see archaeological discoveries made during the past 100 years at major sites such as those in Jerusalem, Massada, Arad, Beit Shemesh and other cities of the Biblical and Roman eras. These rare artifacts reveal aspects of life during these ancient times, including details of daily life, popular religion, music, the evolution of writing, dietary practices, trade, and the roles of women and children.
The exhibition is produced by Pointe-à-Callière in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization and in collaboration with the Israel Museum and the Israel Antiquities Authority. The exhibition has been made possible with the financial support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program, the ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec, the ministère des Relations internationales du Québec, the Canadian Friends of the Israel Museum, the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal and the Fondation Pointe-à-Callière.
The Museum is financially supported by the City of Montréal.
About Pointe-à-Callière
Pointe-à-Callière, the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History, has focused in recent years on bringing treasures from the world’s archaeological heritage to Canada, with numerous outstanding exhibitions, including World’s First Gold, Ancient Secrets, from Bulgaria, on now until May 25. Other exhibitions in the same vein have included Treasures from Southern Italy: Basilicata, Land of Light (2000) and Treasures from the Ukrainian Steppes (1999). Now Archaeology and the Bible: From King David to the Dead Sea Scrolls will further contribute to the Museum’s mission. Pointe-à-Callière, which opened in 1992, is located on the very birthplace of Montréal.
FACT SHEET
Media Information:
Communication-Marketing
Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of
Archaeology and History
Tel.: (514) 872-9114
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
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