A Database of Post-2002 Dead Sea Scrolls-like Fragments

Abstract

Since 2002, over 100 “new” Dead Sea Scrolls fragments have appeared on the antiquities market. They are commonly described as “post-2002 Dead Sea Scrolls-like fragments”. In this article, we present a comprehensive dataset of these fragments, significantly expanding upon Eibert J. C. Tigchelaar’s landmark article “A Provisional List of Unprovenanced, Twenty-First Century, Dead Sea Scrolls-like Fragments” from 2017. Even though the fragments are now commonly believed to be modern forgeries, they continue to impact Dead Sea Scrolls research and market-leading Bible study applications like Accordance and Logos. Our open-access database provides a systematic, accessible, and comprehensive repository for the post-2002 fragments and associated data enabling researchers to streamline research efforts and foster collaboration.

Keywords

• post-2002 dead sea scrolls-like fragments
• forgeries
• fakes
• antiquities trade