Ancient treasures from biblical times and Dead Sea Scrolls at Canadian Museum of CivilizationOnce-in-a-lifetime exhibition opens for limited run
Gatineau, Quebec, December 5, 2003 — Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls, an exhibition of priceless archaeological finds that chronicles more than 1,000 years in the evolution of Judaism and early Christianity, opens today at the Canadian Museum of Civilization for a limited four-month run. The exhibition examines historical events, religious ritual and daily life in biblical times. It features more than 100 objects, including portions of three of the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of which is among the oldest biblical manuscripts ever found.
"The Canadian Museum of Civilization is privileged to be able to bring to Canadians these extraordinary artifacts, many of which are being exhibited outside of Israel for the first time," said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation. "They illuminate an era of profound importance for human history and for two of the world's great religions, Judaism and Christianity."
The exhibition was developed by the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, in collaboration with the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History at Pointe-à-Callière and in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Artifacts are from the collections of the Israel Museum, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Library and Archives of Canada.
Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls presents archaeological finds uncovered in Jerusalem, Massada, Qumram, and other cities of the biblical and Roman eras. They include three of the first Dead Sea Scrolls discovered, as well as the only known artifacts tied to the dynasty of King David. Also on display are personal and household items, such as jewelry, toys and cooking pots that tell us something of daily life in the ancient Holy Land.
In 1947, the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in a desert cave by a young Bedouin shepherd searching for a lost goat. Over the next decade, archaeologists and Bedouins found portions of more than 900 scrolls in 11 nearby caves. Dated to the late Second Temple period (167 B.C.E. to 70 C.E.), the Dead Sea Scrolls are 1,000 years older than any Hebrew biblical text previously found.
Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls displays sections from three of the first scrolls discovered — the Isaiah B Scroll, the Community Rule Scroll and the War Scroll. Two of these scrolls have never been outside Israel. The third has not left Israel since it was purchased from an American collector 50 years ago.
The exhibition also presents archaeological evidence tied to biblical people and places. It includes a stone block inscribed with a reference to the House of David, the oldest mention outside the Bible of the dynasty of King David. Visitors will also see the only known object believed to be associated with the First Temple, a miniature ivory pomegranate, likely the tip of a priestly sceptre, from the eighth century B.C.E. Built by Solomon, King David's son, the Temple was for 500 years the centre of religious life for the world's first monotheistic religion. The Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587–586 B.C.E.
The exhibition, as it is presented at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, includes an additional seven artifacts that help illustrate the relationship between early Christianity and Jewish communities of the period. These artifacts include Christian amulets, lamps decorated with Christian symbols and the only archaeological evidence of crucifixion: the Ossuary of Yehohanan, son of Hagkol.
Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls explores the emergence of Rabbinic Judaism in the first millennium, when prayer and observance of a written code of law replaced Temple rites as expressions of faith. It also explores the birth of Christianity during the same time period. Visitors will see archaeological finds showing how each religion, rooted in the same soil, developed its own sacred symbols.
This is a unique opportunity for Canadians. The Canadian Museum of Civilization is the only national museum to exhibit these treasures before they return to Israel. Ancient Treasures and the Dead Sea Scrolls will be shown from December 5, 2003 to April 12, 2004.
The exhibition was organized by the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, in collaboration with the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History at Pointe-à-Callière and in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Artifacts on loan from the Israel Museum, Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority, and the Library and Archives of Canada. Exhibition produced in Canada by Pointe-à-Callière in partnership with the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program.
FACT SHEETS
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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