1. inkwells (this is to keep Stephen happy) 2. leather tabs from cave 8 3. Pliny
Of these, 1 proves that some writing probably took place at the site, and 2 may suggest the handling of scrolls in caves. 3 depends on identifying Qumran with Pliny's site. None is conclusive about the function of the site.
The number of different hands different text traditions, different recensions among the scrolls suggests a plurality of origins, and perhaps therefore that the scrolls were brought at the same time to this area. But this does not contradict the possibility of Q being an Essene site - such a possibility in fact explains why the scrolls were brought there. Throwing 'Essenes' into the pot makes it worse. We can argue for Essene scrolls, and, if we read Pliny in a certain way, we can find an Essene site at Qumran. The idea that the scrolls are a motley collection of Jewish texts, however, is nonsense. There are ideological biases, without any doubt.
Let's be honest. We can assume a connection or deny one and cite evidence. But infuriatingly we can't nail this connection down. My own conclusions is that there probably is a connection. But what? I don't think the new book helps us a great deal, really.
I like to think that our task as scholars is not to solve problems but create them. that way we keep the industry alive and help our successors. If we do solve a problem, let's leave two in its place.
Philip Davies
-- Professor Philip R Davies University of Sheffield _______________________________________________ g-Megillot mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mailman.McMaster.CA/mailman/listinfo/g-megillot
