The Copper Scroll

The Copper Scroll is one of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a collection of ancient Jewish texts discovered in the Qumran Caves near the Dead Sea between 1947 and 1956.

What sets the Copper Scroll apart from the other Dead Sea Scrolls is that it is not written on parchment or papyrus but engraved on metal—specifically copper. This makes it unique in both content and form.

Background and Discovery

Discovery Date: The Copper Scroll was discovered in 1952 in Cave 3 at Qumran.

Material: It is made from two rolls of copper sheets, approximately 2.4 meters (7.87 feet) in total length when unrolled.

Age: The scroll dates to approximately the late 1st century CE, around 70 CE.

Language: The text is written in a form of Hebrew, somewhat different from that found in other Dead Sea Scrolls.

Content

The Copper Scroll is particularly notable because, unlike the other Dead Sea Scrolls, which are primarily religious texts, biblical manuscripts, or community rules, this scroll contains a kind of treasure map. It lists a series of hidden treasures, detailing locations, quantities of gold, silver, and other valuables that are supposedly buried across various sites.

Treasure List: It lists over 60 locations with detailed instructions on where treasures are buried.

Treasure Descriptions: The descriptions specify enormous amounts of gold, silver, and other precious materials, using phrases such as “in the cave in the valley of X, 7 bars of gold are buried.”

Mystery of the Treasure: The actual existence of these treasures remains a mystery. Despite numerous attempts, none of the hidden treasures have ever been found, which leads some scholars to question whether the treasures were real or metaphorical. Others suggest they might have been looted at some point.

Theories About Its Origin

Temple Treasures: Some scholars believe the Copper Scroll may be related to the treasures of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, which were hidden before the Roman destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

Essene Community: Another theory is that the treasures belonged to the Essenes, the Jewish sect believed to have lived at Qumran, attempting to safeguard their wealth from the Romans.

Propaganda or Exaggeration: There are also theories that the treasures may have been exaggerated or symbolic rather than real items.

Physical and Linguistic Features

Construction: The scroll was made of two thin sheets of copper mixed with about 1% tin. The copper was hammered into a workable sheet and inscribed using a sharp tool. It was found corroded, and therefore, researchers in the 1950s had to cut it into strips to reveal the content.

Distinctiveness: The Copper Scroll’s linguistic style is quite different from that of the other scrolls. It is more direct and lacks literary and religious style, which makes it read more like an inventory or an administrative record rather than a typical Dead Sea Scroll text.

Modern Analysis

Restoration: The scroll had to undergo careful restoration, as the copper was highly corroded. Scholars cut it into strips for easier reading and study.

Scholarly Debate: Debate continues around the nature and purpose of the treasures mentioned. Some scholars see it as purely fantastical, while others hypothesize that it might be an authentic record of a hidden treasure whose true meaning is lost to history.

Possible Locations

The locations described in the scroll are vague by today’s standards, often relying on place names or landmarks that have since disappeared or remain unidentified. Examples of locations include:

References to “solitary cisterns” or “ruins of the House of Hakkoz,” making it difficult for modern archaeologists to pinpoint exact sites.

Attempts have been made to locate the treasures around Jerusalem and Qumran, but with no conclusive results.

Locations mentioned

The Copper Scroll references various locations, many of which use ancient and sometimes cryptic names that are difficult to identify with modern sites.

1. Valley of Achor – Often referenced as a location for buried treasures. This valley is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible as being near Jericho, but the exact coordinates today are uncertain.
2. Cave of the Kohlit – Described as having treasures buried at the mouth of this cave. The name itself is not clearly identified with a known place.
3. Hill of Shaveh – A recurring feature that serves as a landmark for treasure hiding. This name is also mentioned in some biblical texts, although its precise identification remains unclear.
4. House of Hakkoz – A specific structure or building mentioned in connection with a treasure deposit. The name “Hakkoz” appears to be associated with a priestly family from biblical times, but the location of their “house” is not known.
5. Solitary Cistern – Many treasures are said to be hidden in or near cisterns, described as “solitary” or isolated. The exact locations are vague, but it emphasizes the use of water storage facilities as hiding spots.
6. Tomb of Zadok – A tomb that is mentioned as a reference point for one of the treasures. Zadok is a common biblical name, often connected to priests or priestly families, but the specific tomb referenced here is not located.
7. Brook of Essene – Refers to a brook or stream that might be associated with the Essenes, the presumed inhabitants of Qumran. It is, however, not well defined.
8. Cave of the Column – A cave that supposedly features a column, mentioned as a point of reference for treasure. This name could suggest a distinct geological feature or possibly a constructed column.
9. Fortress of Matia – Referenced as a landmark, though its identification is not precise. It could be a historical fortress or a symbolic term.
10. Ruins of the Valley of Geres – A place described in connection to certain treasure deposits. Its coordinates are unknown, and “Geres” does not correspond to a well-known historical site.

These names are used in conjunction with descriptions of treasure locations, often involving specific but vague details like distances measured in cubits, steps, or other terms that make them difficult to pinpoint in the present day. The general nature of the Copper Scroll’s descriptions leaves much open to interpretation and has led to considerable debate among archaeologists and scholars.

Identifying the exact locations remains challenging because many of these names are ancient, and the landmarks they refer to no longer exist or are difficult to verify without more context. Additionally, the general language of the scroll indicates a mix of standard terms and potentially symbolic references, adding to the complexity of interpretation.