THE QUMRAN LIBRARY:
ARTIFACT FROM THE QUMRAN SITE

This artifact from the Qumran Site was on display in the exhibit at the Library of Congress, May - August 1993. It was provided courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority. The exhibit caption (below) provides background on the object and its relationship with the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Qumran Community, and its Library.

Pottery Inkwell

Inkwell Pottery Late first century B.C.E.-early first century C.E. I.2179 Height 4.6 cm (1 3/4 in.), diameter 3.9 cm (1 1/2 in.) Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority (73)

Two inkwells were found at the Qumran excavations, this one of pottery and another of bronze. They were found in the vicinity of a large table, which suggested a scriptorium, a room designated for the copying of manuscripts. It is indeed feasible that many of the manuscripts were written or copied locally, although some of the manuscripts may have been written elsewhere.

This cylindrical pottery vessel has a flat base and a small, circular, rimmed opening at the top for dipping the pen and topping up the ink. This type of vessel was also found in excavations in Jerusalem.