April 6, 1993

Press Contact: John Sullivan (202) 707-9216
Lucy Suddreth (202) 707-9191

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Press Advisory: Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit

The Library of Congress will hold a press conference and tour of its major exhibition, "Scrolls from the Dead Sea: The Ancient Library of Qumran and Modern Scholarship." The exhibition includes the oldest known copies of the Old Testament scriptures and archaeological items from the ruins of Qumran. The exhibition will be open to the public in the Madison Building from April 29 through August 1.

When: Monday, April 26, 11 a.m.* - 12:30 p.m.

Where: Room 139, Visitors' Orientation Center, first floor, Madison Building, 101 Independence Ave. S.E.

Who: Librarian of Congress James H. Billington will welcome the guests; curator Michael Grunberger of the Library's Hebraic Section and Library Interpretive Programs Officer Irene Burnham, with representatives from the Israel Antiquities Authority, will discuss the exhibition and answer questions.

At the conclusion of the press conference, Dr. Grunberger will offer members of the press and any camera crews a special guided tour of the exhibition.

Color slides and black and white prints of the fragments and other exhibition items will be available.

At approximately 10:15 a.m. a documentary will be shown on a portable monitor in Room 139, which will serve as an excellent overview of the Dead Sea Scrolls controversy. The tape is from a PBS showing of a "NOVA" program. The tape will also be available for anyone wanting to see it after the exhibition tour, in the Public Affairs Office, Room 105, Madison Building.

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PR 93-048
4/5/93
ISSN 0731-3527