- Address: 1,5 km from the north-west coast of the Dead Sea, Israel;
- Website: parks.org.il;
- Phone: +972 2-994-2235;
- Working hours: every day from 08:00 to 16:00.
The Qumran National Park ( Israel ), located on the north-western shore of the Dead Sea , several centuries ago was a tiny, unremarkable oasis. Currently, many tourists are striving to visit it, which turned out to be in this country, as valuable historical sights are represented here.
Qumran - history and description
The Qumran National Park became famous, thanks to the many archaeological finds found on its territory. In the 50-ies of the XX century in ancient caves on the slopes of Wadi-Qumran were found the oldest scrolls, and this was done not by professional archaeologists, but by a Bedouin, whom then the scrolls were found by the police.
The right to enter the caves was first requested by archaeologists, but they could not do it because they did not have the necessary technical equipment. This is explained by the fact that the scrolls lay at an altitude of 150-200 m over 2000 years, while the way up was quite dangerous, and only the Bedouins knew the safe paths between the steep slopes of the dried up rivers.
Having failed, the scientists paid attention to the ruins that were between the sea and the rocks. The first expedition was able to work no more than six months a year, approximately from 1951 to 1956. The activities of archaeologists were hampered by a harsh climate and inadequate funding.
In such a short time, scientists were able to find all the rooms. However, the museum exhibit Qumran began to change only when the territory was under the control of Israel (6-day war, 1967). Then the National Park Administration took up the restoration work.
Why is Qumran interesting for tourists?
Nowadays, modern tourists can walk along paved paths, take advantage of the services of guides, watch a short film about the park. Along the way, there are avenues and inscriptions on which quotes of ancient authors are quoted. In addition, in the national park of Qumran, a light and sound presentation about the history of the area is arranged for visitors.
In the park, tourists will see excavations of the central complex of kumranites, a water system and a cave in which manuscripts were found. The value of the latter is priceless, because they tell of many events that occurred 2000 years after they were written.
In total, about 900 scrolls of varying degrees of safety are found. Some of them are written on papyrus, but there is also on parchment. Interesting finds include the ruins of a kiln for burning ceramics, 2 or 3-storey buildings. In the eastern part of the park, scientists discovered a large cemetery with human remains.
The entrance to the park is paid: the price depends on the age of the tourist and ranges from $ 4 to $ 6. The park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm in the summer season and closes one hour earlier in winter. On holidays, Qumran works only until 15.00.
How to get there?
You can reach the park of Qumran by highway No.20, 20 km south from Jericho.