📷 BOGDAN SIUDY · Pexels

Where in the world

Palestinian Territories

Qumran

Hellenistic · Palestinian Territories

Field notes

civilizations: Hellenistic
types: Village
built: 104 BCE
occupied: 130 BCE — 68 CE
country: Palestinian Territories

The site

Qumran is a Hellenistic-period settlement on a dry marl plateau about 1.5 km from the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea in the West Bank. Built under the Hasmonean leader John Hyrcanus, it was home to a Jewish sect most scholars identify with the Essenes until the Romans destroyed it in 68 CE. Qumran is best known as the settlement nearest the desert caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden.

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