Soli Deo Gloria?Background on those dubious Dead Sea Scrolls fragments is here, here, here, and links.
The Scholars, the Market, and the Dubious
Post-2002 Dead Sea Scrolls-like Fragments
Meanwhile, however, since the early 1990s, researchers in fields like archaeology and heritage studies have expressed growing concern about the role of academics as facilitators of illicit trading in ancient texts and objects from countries suffering from extensive looting and unlawful removal of prehistoric material. Despite this widespread awareness, reflected in a growing number of laws, regulations and international policies to prevent looting, smuggling and illegal trade in cultural objects, many scholars in the field of biblical studies continue to receive unprovenanced material with enthusiasm.
By Årstein Justnes
Professor, Department of Religion
University of Agder, Norway
Leader of the Lying Pen of Scribes Project
Josephine Munch Rasmussen
Ph.D., lecturer
University of Oslo
November 2017
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