GLASGOW is to hold an exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Kelvingrove next summer. The documents, discovered between 1947 and 1956 in caves at Qumran above the Dead Sea, have been on display in Europe only once before, at the Vatican in 1994.
Lord Provost Pat Lally said: ''This is a spectacular coup for Glasgow, and confirmation that the city is one of the leading cultural centres of Europe.''
The 2000-year-old scrolls are the oldest known biblical manuscripts of the Christian and Jewish faiths. Their exhibition at the Library of Congress in Washington DC attracted the highest crowds in the venue's 215-year history.
The Glasgow exhibition will coincide with events organised by the city's Jewish community to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel.
Julian Spalding, director of Glasgow Museums, said: ''The Dead Sea Scrolls are amazing survivals from one of the most momentous periods in world history. We are honoured to be the only British venue hosting this incredible show.''
The first of the Dead Sea Scrolls was discovered by accident when a young shepherd went into the caves at Qumran in the Judeaen Desert, high above the Dead Sea, searching for a goat. A total of 800 manuscripts were later found in 11 caves. There were also thousands of fragments of manuscripts which have to be assembled like a giant jigsaw puzzle before they can be read and interpreted.
They contain portions of all Five Books of Moses and descriptions of the way of life of the Essenes sect as well as local bye-laws.
After Glasgow, the exhibition - which was negotiated for the city by its former public relations chief, Harry Diamond - will go on to France and Germany.
Mr Diamond first attempted to bring the scrolls to Glasgow as part of the European City of Culture in 1990. His efforts, which began in 1985, were thwarted when the Israeli authorities refused to allow the scrolls to travel abroad, saying they were too fragile.
The Israelis later give in to international demand and, with the help of new techniques to protect the manuscripts, they were allowed to leave Israel.
The Rt Rev Alexander McDonald, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: ''This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Scotland and the rest of Britain to see these amazing scrolls.''
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