Click here (UCLA), and follow the links, to view archaeology-based computer reconstructions of the Essene community at Qumran on the Dead Sea, an apocalyptic group active during the era of Jesus...
What do the infrastructure and resources of this Jewish splinter group suggest about their devotion and dedication to their visions of the end-time?
4 comments:
Based on the infrastructure and resources of the Essene community at Qumran, one could posit that they were highly dedicated and devoted to their visions of the end time. Containing rooms such as a scriptorium, Qumran is clearly a place dedicated to religious motives. The scale of the compound suggests a relatively large community and the resources available within it suggest that the Essenes were ready to ride out the apocalypse without interaction with the outside world. However, the compound also appears to contain the proper resources to be self-sustaining for a long period of time, which suggests that the Essenes did not have a definite idea of when the apocalypse would come, only that it would come eventually.
Max Hesser-Knoll
The pictures were crisp and clear. The buildings are incredible. It does appear they were ready to be self-substaining for a long time. It was a fortress. It was well thought out. I do not think modern man has made anything like it.
Lisa
These were very intriguing pictures of the fortress of Qumran on teh Dead Sea. The entire post appears to have been built for function as well as sustainability. They had many storage areas for foor and livestock as well as a channel to bring in fresh water. Overall it appears this compound could have sustained the group for many months after an apocolyptic event occured.
Bob
I myself was surprised and impressed to see how sophisticated this community appears to have been based upon the computer reconstructions. One tends not to get this persepctive when standing atop the ruins of Qumran (which I've been fortunate to do).
Max, your point is well taken regarding the extensive infrastructure of the Essenes. This is a group that evidently had the knowledge, connections, and funding to pursue their apocalyptic dreams at the edge of the Dead Sea. And yet, as you say, the very stability of the site stands in tension with the professed imminence of the final days!
pdk
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