Pacific Science Center to Present Dead Sea Scrolls.

SEATTLE -- Pacific Science Center today announced the upcoming West Coast premiere of Discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls, opening September 23, 2006.

This major new exhibition will feature 10 of the Dead Sea scrolls, including four scrolls never before seen by the public. Also included is a collection of artifacts from the ancient settlement of Qumran near the Dead Sea, along with interactive exhibits on the science behind the excavation, conservation, and interpretation of the scrolls.

Regarded by many as one of the greatest archeological discoveries of the 20th century, the Dead Sea scrolls predate Christianity and include the earliest known written texts of the Bible. Until the scrolls' discovery, there were no known biblical texts dated before 895 C.E.(a) The Dead Sea scrolls are more than 1,000 years older, having been transcribed between 250 B.C.E. and 68 C.E., written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.

The story of the scrolls' accidental discovery is as impressive as their historical and spiritual significance. In 1947, a young Bedouin goatherd and his companions ventured into a cave near the Dead Sea, in the Judean desert about 13 miles southeast of Jerusalem. There they found jars filled with scrolls written on animal skins. That first discovery began a search and excavation by archeologists and others that lasted nearly a decade. Eventually the work of these scholars and scientists yielded thousands of fragments from hundreds of scrolls, all hidden among 11 caves for 2,000 years. Today, most of the artifacts from the site are in the care of the Israel Antiquities Authority, which continues to research, conserve and preserve the manuscripts.

Discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls was developed by Pacific Science Center in cooperation with Discovery Place in Charlotte, N.C., and is presented in association with the Israel Antiquities Authority and The Dead Sea Scrolls Foundation. While some Dead Sea scrolls have been seen in the United States before, this is the first exhibition of its kind and the first time any of the scrolls will be displayed on the West Coast. Visitors to Pacific Science Center will be the first members of the public in the world to see four of the scrolls in the exhibition, and another scroll is making its first appearance outside Israel.

Along with the scroll and artifact displays, interactive exhibits created for the exhibition by Pacific Science Center will give visitors a hands-on introduction to the science associated with the scrolls. Among the 10 exhibits, visitors can explore multispectral imaging, learn about radiocarbon dating and get a first-hand idea of the daunting, puzzle-like task of sorting and fitting together thousands of tiny scroll fragments.

"This is an opportunity for us to present a powerful story of great interest to many people," said Bryce Seidl, Pacific Science Center President. "They will see that modern science not only allows us to go places we have never gone before, but also allows us to go back into time to understand where we came from as a civilization."

"We are delighted that our exhibit is funding the restoration and conservation of four scroll fragments that have never before been seen publicly. This is all possible due to the generosity of our community," added Seidl.

Tickets to Discovering the Dead Sea Scrolls, which runs September 23, 2006-January 7, 2007, are available now at 877-DSS-1947 or Pacific Science Center's Web site, www.pacsci.org. For school group reservations, call 206-443-2925. Group sales information is available by phone at 206-443-3611.

(a) Note: B.C.E stands for "Before the Common Era" and C.E. for "Common Era." B.C.E. and C.E. are chronologically equivalent to B.C. and A.D.

Pacific Science Center inspires a lifelong interest in science, mathematics and technology by engaging diverse communities through interactive and innovative exhibits and programs. Pacific Science Center began as the United States Science Pavilion during the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Millions came to explore the wonders of science during the World's Fair and upon the closing ceremonies, the Science Pavilion was given new life as the private, not-for-profit Pacific Science Center, becoming the first U.S. museum founded as a science and technology center. For more information about Pacific Science Center, please call 206-443-2001 or visit the web site at www.pacsci.org.