FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2022-025 DAILY FEATURE:

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (February 7, 2022) – In Issue 2022-025 of Steve Kovacs Fun with Maps, we celebrate the discovery of ancient, but iconic, biblical books.

DEAD SEA SCROLLS

The first of the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered 75 years ago today in a cave in today’s West Bank, Palestine.

The manuscripts discovered across eleven caves in the past 75 years date to the third century BC to the first century AD.  They were written on papyrus, parchment and on copper sheets.

These manuscripts are considered one of the most important archaeological finds.  They have great historical and religious significance in part because they are the oldest known manuscripts of books later included in the biblical canons.  They also illustrate the diversity of religious thought of the time in the region.

Most were written in Hebrew, but also Aramaic and Greek language documents have been found.

Here is Elwe’s map of the Holy Land from 1792.  Not atypically for the time, north is not oriented to the top – in this case north is to the right.

Holy Land from 1792 (Credit Steve Kovacs)

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Antique Maps & Fun Facts here on Loveland Beacon.