Copper Scroll Abstract

Here is the abstract for the essay on the Copper Scroll for today's seminar:

The Copper Scroll was found in 1952, but the secrets of 3Q15 remained hidden until its opening in 1955/6, despite the best efforts of K. G. Kuhn. Kuhn had previously announced that the scroll consisted of hidden treasure, and although at first he was ridiculed, the opening of the scroll proved him correct. The scroll consisted of a long and sober list of some sixty-four locations of hidden treasure, which taken at face value mounts to some 58-174 tons of precious metal. It is due to such a copious quantity of metal that Milik has questioned the authenticity of the scroll, suggesting that it depicts Jewish folklore, not real treasure. Others have disagreed, arguing that the nature of the document implies that the treasure was indeed real. Much debate has emerged from this, although questions, including the following, remain unanswered. Is the treasure real? If so, to whom did it belong? Was the scroll hidden by the Qumran community, or someone else? Was it hidden with the leather scrolls, or does its placement at the back of Cave 3 suggest a separate drop? Can we find the treasure?

This paper aims to provide at least some answers to the questions above, discussing in depth the question of whether the scroll depicts a real, or legendary, treasure. Concluding that it is indeed real, I aim to expose the identity of its depositor, prior to suggesting the implications of this scroll upon the current Essene hypothesis.

Anna Evans