Dead Sea Scrolls Coming to the ROM

Pic: Photos courtesy of the Royal Ontario Museum

From June 27 to January 3, 2010, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will be showcasing the historical Dead Sea Scrolls in the Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall.

Considered one of the greatest archeological finds of the 20th Century, the Dead Sea Scrolls are the earliest record of biblical patriarchs and prophets known to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Since their discovery over 60 years ago, these scrolls have been at the centre of public attention and objects of scholarly interest. During the six-month exhibition, the ROM will feature 16 authentic Dead Sea Scrolls – eight unique Scrolls for each three month period – including fragments from the books of Genesis, Deuteronomy and Psalms.

The exhibition also includes four fragments that have never been publically displayed. All in all, over 200 artifacts on loan by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), complemented by the ROM’s world-renowned collection, will be featured.

One of these objects is a fragment from one of the oldest copies of the text, containing the most prominent biblical laws for Judaism and Christianity – the Ten Commandments – which will be on display for a limited time.

“The ROM is privileged to present this extraordinary exhibition showcasing these deeply significant writings,” William Thorsell, ROM Director and CEO, said in a statement. “In doing so, the Museum will bring together archaeology and culture, along with a wealth of exceptional programming. The ambitious Anne Tanenbaum Lecture Series, for instance, will explore compelling ideas related to the Dead Sea Scrolls, launch provocative and enlightening inter-faith discussions, and create a deeper understanding of the Scrolls.”

University of Toronto alumna and Director of the Jewish Studies program at the San Diego State University, Dr. Risa Levitt Kohn, was the curator of the successful “Dead Sea Scrolls” exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum in 2007. Levitt Kohn will be the guest exhibition curator at the ROM.

For more information: www.rom.on.ca