Episode
NOVA: Dead Sea Scroll Detectives
Overview
Since the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947, these fragile parchment relics have intrigued scholars, religious leaders, and profiteers alike. The 2,000-year-old scrolls include the oldest-known versions of the Hebrew Bible and hold vital clues about the birth of Christianity. While certain scrolls have survived intact, others have been ravaged by time—burnt, decayed, or torn to pieces—and remain an enigma. Now, scientists are using new technologies to read the unreadable, solve mysteries that have endured for millennia, and even discover million-dollar fakes.
Details
- Series
- NOVA
- Season
- Season 46
- Episode
- Episode 20
- Air date
- 2019-11-06
- Runtime
- 55 min
Episode context
Dead Sea Scroll Detectives is Episode 20 in Season 46 of NOVA. It aired on 2019-11-06. The runtime is 55 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 19: Rise of the Mammals
Sixty-six million years ago, an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs in a fiery global catastrophe. An amazing trove of fossils reveals how mammals took over, ultimately evolving into the huge array of species—including humans—that rule the Earth today.
Episode 21: Decoding Da Vinci
How Leonardo da Vinci used science to create his legendary artwork. Included: why Mona Lisa's smile is so captivating—and what it took to create it.
More episodes from this season
Episode 18: Look Who's Driving
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Episode 22: The Violence Paradox
Is violence actually declining? If so, why? And can we build a more peaceful future?
Episode 17: Why Bridges Collapse
Join experts as they compare what happened in several deadly bridge collapses across America.
Episode 23: Animal Espionage
Camera technology is revolutionizing the study of animals—without them even noticing.
Episode 16: The Planets: Ice Worlds
Uranus and Neptune's unexpected rings, supersonic winds and dozens of moons; an up-close view of Pluto before exploring the Kuiper belt.
Episode 15: The Planets: Saturn
Nasa's Cassini reveals the mysteries of Saturn's rings and new hope for life on one of its moons.
Episode 14: The Planets: Jupiter
Jupiter's gravitational force made it a wrecking ball as it barreled through the early solar system, but it also helped shape life on Earth as it brought comets laden with water and possibly the asteroid that put an end to the dinosaurs.
Episode 13: The Planets: Mars
The dry, red planet Mars was once a blue water world studded with active volcanoes and may have even had the ingredients to support life.
Episode 12: The Planets: Inner Worlds
The rocky planets Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars all have similar origins, but only one supports life.
Episode 11: Back to the Moon
On the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing, NOVA looks ahead to the hoped-for dawn of a new age in lunar exploration. This time, governments and private industry are working together to reach our nearest celestial neighbour. But why go back? The Moon can serve as a platform for basic astronomical research; as an abundant source of rare metals and hydrogen fuel; and ultimately as a stepping stone for human missions to Mars and beyond. Join the next generation of engineers that aim to take us to the Moon, and discover how our legacy of lunar exploration won't be confined to the history books for long.