Israeli researchers develop computer tool to study Dead Sea Scrolls

Israeli researchers from Tel Aviv University’s School of Science have developed a computer tool that could facilitate the complex study of the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls. The 2,000-year-old scrolls were written in Hebrew and were first discovered by chance in 1947 in caves close to the Dead Sea.

“Scholars have been studying the Dead Sea Scrolls for 70 years,” Prof. Nachum Dershowitz, one of the researchers behind the new computer tool, said in an interview with The Times of Israel.

“One of the great unsolved challenges has been comparing and matching handwriting across different fragments or scrolls. This remains one of the field’s giant questions,” he explained.

The innovative computer application integrates multispectral imaging with conventional computer vision methods. This cutting-edge system is designed to facilitate more accurate analysis of ancient texts and comparison of handwriting. While still in its initial development phase, the researchers are optimistic that the technology will eventually improve the understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

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