Alex Sanz/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis, July 15 - It is a collection that brings to life 5,000 years of history. Co-curator Lee Biondi calls it "an entire history of Scripture that goes way back to the very earliest writings."
The exhibit featuring the Dead Sea Scrolls captures the origins of the Bible with fragile pieces of the Old Testament, the earliest known to man, ancient manuscripts and time-worn treasures.
"Most people in the general public have heard of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Most people would know they are the most important archaeological discoveries ever. A lot of people may not know why. It's the earliest Scripture that exists in Hebrew."
Along with the Dead Sea Scrolls, the collection offers pictographic clay tablets from 3,000 BC, early Biblical manuscripts in Hebrew, Coptic, Greek and Latin and every major Bible printed in English.
"This show also has the tradition of the Latin Bible in manuscript form. And then the entire history of the Bible, from Guttenberg to the 1611 King James, first edition ever of every important Bible. And when you get to America, the first edition of every Bible printed in Revolutionary and Colonial America."
It is a look back at the origins of the Bible, one the curators hope will awe and inspire.
The exhibit featuring the Dead Sea Scrolls opens to the public Friday and runs through August 15 at the Adam's Mark Hotel downtown.
