The new research combines cutting-edge artificial intelligence with advanced radiocarbon dating and provides a transformative perspective on the origins of Dead Sea Scrolls.
The revolutionary work led by Professor Mladen Popović of Groningen University challenges long-standing assumptions about the age and authors of Dead Sea scrolls. The study, published in PLOS One, utilizes state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced high-edge carbon dating methods to date these ancient manuscripts with unprecedented accuracy.
Discovered in the caves of Qumran between 1946 and 1947, the Dead Sea scroll represents the oldest surviving text of the Hebrew Bible. Written primarily in Hebrew, there were several passages in Aramaic and Greek, with scrolls containing religious Bibles, legal texts and ancient calendars.
Historically, scholars relied on classical imaging, analyzing handwriting styles to estimate scroll age. Radiocarbon dating then provided more accuracy. However, due to preservation methods in the mid-20th century, previous radiocarbon results were distorted as they were caught in curly oil. This new study reviewed these samples and meticulously removed 30 fragments, resulting in reliable radiocarbon results for 27.
To boost the boundaries of historical dating, the researchers developed an AI model called Enok, named after ancient biblical figures associated with knowledge and wisdom. Trained with 62 high-resolution images of 24 scrolls, Enoch learned to identify subtle handwriting differences. When tested with undated scrolls before 135, Enoch's estimates were in line with 79% of the time, in line with the expectations of expert Furunojin.
“This AI technology is like opening a time machine to the ancient world,” Professor Popovich said. “It's closer than ever to those who actually wrote the earliest version of the Bible.”
One impressive example is Scroll 4q114, which contains an excerpt from the book of Daniel. Previous studies have its origins in the second half of the 2nd century BC. However, Enoch proposes dates from 230 BC to 160 BC.
Furthermore, this study highlights the overlapping use of Hasmon and Herod's script styles, indicating a wider time frame than previously thought. In another important finding, the evangelistic fragments date back to the exact time traditionally associated with its author.
Beyond dead-sea scrolling, the researchers see the great potential of Enoch's application when dating other ancient manuscripts, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional carbon dating.
This pioneering blend of AI and archaeology not only changes our understanding of biblical history, but also opens new doors to a precise and careful exploration of human literary and religious heritage.
PopovićM, Dhali MA, Schomaker L, van der Plicht J, Lund Rasmussen K, La Nasa J, et al (2025) Ancient manuscripts and dating using radiocarbon and AI-based writing style analyses. PLOS ONE 20 (6): E0323185. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0323185
Cover Image Credit: Dead Sea Scroll 28a, Amman's Jordan Museum. Public Domain
