A new artificial intelligence analysis has dated many of the Dead Sea Scrolls as significantly older than previously believed, potentially reshaping the timeline of early Jewish history and biblical authorship.
The findings, published in the journal PLOS One, suggest that some scrolls were written just years after the original composition of the texts, marking the first time researchers have linked biblical writings so directly to surviving manuscripts.
Developed by researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, the AI tool—named Enoch—combines radiocarbon data with handwriting analysis to refine the dating of the scrolls. The system was trained on 24 carbon-dated samples and then applied to 135 undated fragments.
“With the Enoch tool, we have opened a new door into the ancient world—like a time machine—that allows us to study the hands that wrote the Bible,” said Mladen Popović, director of the Qumran Institute and lead researcher on the project.
The AI’s results consistently suggested older dates than those previously assigned by human paleographers. Fragments of the Book of Daniel and Ecclesiastes, once believed to date to around 50 BCE, were reassigned to the 160s BCE—aligning closely with estimated periods of original composition.
Implications for Biblical and Historical Studies
This breakthrough addresses a longstanding gap in biblical scholarship: the lack of securely dated manuscripts from between the 4th century BCE and 1st century CE. Previous estimates relied largely on paleographic analysis—comparing handwriting styles—without a consistent empirical foundation.
“For most Dead Sea Scrolls, a calendar date is not known,” the study notes. “There are no other date-bearing manuscripts from the period available for paleographic comparison.”
If accurate, the AI-generated dates could place some scrolls within entirely different historical contexts. Texts thought to reflect the religious thought of the Hasmonean or early Roman periods may now be understood as products of earlier Jewish communities under Hellenistic rule, forcing a reevaluation of how and when key religious ideas and institutions emerged.
Skepticism and Debate
Not all scholars are convinced. Some caution that the AI model, while promising, may still carry biases from the limited training data or overfit to known patterns. Yet even skeptics acknowledge the approach could strengthen future manuscript dating if combined with traditional methods.
The study is part of a decade-long project titled The Hands That Wrote the Bible, funded by the European Research Council, and marks a significant step forward in merging computational analysis with ancient scholarship.
“Scholars in the field will now have to rethink historical reconstructions,” Popović told IFLScience, noting the potential to redraw aspects of early Jewish and Mediterranean history.
As researchers continue to refine AI-assisted dating techniques, the findings may lead to further revelations about the origins and transmission of some of the world’s most influential religious texts.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions following the United States’ military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all sides to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Türkiye has voiced strong concern following the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the action could dangerously escalate the conflict and trigger a global crisis.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Iran’s top diplomat on Sunday issued a stark condemnation of the United States following overnight military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, declaring that Washington had crossed a "very big red line" and would be held "fully responsible" for the consequences.
The United States has clarified that its recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were not intended to overthrow the Iranian government, but to neutralise what it described as urgent threats to national security, amid rising tensions and fears of broader regional conflict.
Iran's top security body, the SNSC, will decide on closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas chokepoint, after parliament's reported approval. A Revolutionary Guards commander stated the measure is "on the agenda," signaling escalating tensions.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions following the United States’ military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all sides to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Türkiye has voiced strong concern following the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the action could dangerously escalate the conflict and trigger a global crisis.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
The United States has clarified that its recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were not intended to overthrow the Iranian government, but to neutralise what it described as urgent threats to national security, amid rising tensions and fears of broader regional conflict.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Global investors are bracing for significant market turmoil when trading reopens, with analysts predicting a sharp spike in oil prices and a flight to safe-haven assets following the United States' announcement of military strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities.
A chorus of condemnation emerged from Latin America on Sunday as leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia denounced the United States for its recent airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 22nd, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The United States has clarified that its recent military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities were not intended to overthrow the Iranian government, but to neutralise what it described as urgent threats to national security, amid rising tensions and fears of broader regional conflict.
Iran's top security body, the SNSC, will decide on closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas chokepoint, after parliament's reported approval. A Revolutionary Guards commander stated the measure is "on the agenda," signaling escalating tensions.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions following the United States’ military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all sides to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.
The Pentagon concluded a high-stakes press briefing Saturday afternoon following the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, outlining the scale and success of the mission while stressing the door remains open to diplomacy.
Türkiye has voiced strong concern following the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the action could dangerously escalate the conflict and trigger a global crisis.
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