60 Years with the Dead Sea Scrolls

The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls changed many lives—arguably, including mine (as editor of BAR).

As the cornerstone of our observance of the 60th anniversary of the scrolls’ discovery, eight leading Dead Sea Scroll scholars have agreed to talk about how and why the scrolls changed their lives. Pride of place goes to Harvard’s Frank Cross, the only surviving member of the original publication team who can speak of those times when a few young scholars were assigned to publish about 15,000 scroll fragments that had been discovered in 031Cave 4. We are especially grateful to him for sharing his memories. (John Strugnell is also living, but in poor health.)