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Shai Halevi

21. Sections of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets scroll discovered in the Judean Desert expedition prior to their conservation. Photo: Shai Halevi, Israel Antiquities Authority

Discovered by Bedouin in 1956, Cave 11 held the last of the Dead Sea Scrolls found to date. The remains of around 30 manuscripts were discovered, including the longest of the scrolls, known as the Temple Scroll.

Researchers analyzed tiny samples of scroll fragments—these from the biblical book of Jeremiah.

Researchers extracted animal DNA from 2,000-year-old fragments, including these from the book of Isaiah in the Hebrew Bible.