Jan. 11, 2026 | The Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls are some of the oldest versions of the Bible that have ever been discovered, dating back even before the time of Christ. Discovered in 1947 in Qumran, a portion of the scrolls are now on display in Washington, D.C., at the Museum of the Bible. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty walked through the exhibit with Dr. Robert “Bobby” Duke to learn about how the exhibit came about, why the scrolls are important to understanding Scripture and how the scrolls are preserved today. The museum’s exhibit provides a window into the Second Temple Period in Jerusalem (538-70 B.C.), and includes a large stone from the Western Wall where visitors can leave prayers.