The University of Agder, in Kristiansand, hosts an online conference “On the Origin of the Pieces: The Provenance of the Dead Sea Scrolls.”

This conference is part of by “The Lying Pen of Scribes” project and discusses key issues related to the provenance of the original Dead Sea Scrolls, that is, not only the fake fragments that recently appeared on the antiquities market, but those that were found by the Bedouin in the mid-twentieth century.

A first edition of this meeting took place in Kristiansand on March 13 but was largely abridged due to the coronavirus pandemic. Årstein Justnes thus decided to organize a second, online edition. Registration is free.

Here is the conference program:

On the Origin of the Pieces: The Provenance of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Virtual Conference, 15–16 June 2020

MONDAY

2:45–3:00 pm CEST
Prof. Årstein Justnes, University of Agder
Introduction and Welcome

3:00–5:00 pm CEST
Chair: Årstein Justnes, University of Agder

Prof. Eibert J. C. Tigchelaar, KU Leuven
“Beyond Belief or Skepticism: What Can We Know about the Provenance of the 1950’s Judaean Desert Fragments?”

Prof. Stephen A. Reed, University of Jamestown
“Back to the Cave: Find Sites Reconsidered”

5:00–5:30 pm CEST Break

5:30–7:00 pm CEST
Chair: Dana Ryan Lande, Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society

Associate Prof. Morag Kersel, DePaul University
“Creating Context: Archaeology, Provenance and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Dr. Josephine Munch Rasmussen, University of Agder
“Poor provenance – Rich Knowledge: Dead Sea Scrolls and Academia”

TUESDAY

3:00–4:30 pm CEST
Chair: Nils Hallvard Korsvoll, University of Agder

Prof. Michael Langlois, University of Strasbourg
“At the Beginning: Early Issues of Authenticity, Provenance and Acquisition of the Scrolls”

Prof. Brent Nongbri, Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society
“From the Outside, Looking In: Some Questions from a Novice Regarding the Contents of Qumran Cave 1”

4:30–5:00 pm CEST Break

5:00–6:00 pm CEST
Chair: Erika Nordheim, University of Agder

Assistant Prof. Kristine T. Rosland, University of South-Eastern Norway
“Provenance and Nag Hammadi: Is There More to Say?”

PhD Research Fellow Ludvik A. Kjeldsberg, University of Agder
“A Database of Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibitions in the 20th and 21st Centuries”

6:00–6:15 pm CEST
Professor Årstein Justnes, University of Agder
Close of Conference and Thanks

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UPDATE: The University of Agder posted a recording of my talk.
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