Dead Sea Scrolls at the Legion of Honor

'Treasures from the Holy Land,' at the Legion of Honor from February 9 to August 10, 2008, will include rotating examples of Dead Sea Scroll fragments and other artifacts spanning over 5000 years, from the Chalcolithic Age (4,000 BC) to the Fatimid Period (11th century AD).
The Dead Sea Scrolls--one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in history--were pieced together to form more than 800 documents, many of them Biblical and apocryphal manuscripts. All of the artifacts on view are on loan from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), and most have never been seen outside of Israel. “Treasures from the Holy Land and our partnership with the IAA call attention to Israel’s rich archaeological heritage and the importance of these splendid objects, many of which are national treasures, emanating from the Holy Land,” says curator of ancient art and interpretation Renée Dreyfus.
This small-scale exhibition is the first in a series, and provides an introduction to future joint exhibitions with the IAA. Highlights among the nearly 50 objects include funerary ossuaries, cult altars from the Canaanite period, Roman glass vessels, a mosaic from a Byzantine monastery in Jerusalem, and gold coins and jewelry from Tiberias dating to the Fatimid Period. On display for the first time anywhere is a newly excavated and restored glass table with gold foil from a Byzantine villa. The first Dead Sea Scroll on view is from the Book of Psalms, one of the best-preserved biblical examples which dates to the 1st century AD.
In conjunction with "Treasures from the Holy Land," the Helen Diller Family Foundation’s Annual Lecture Series focusing on recent archaeological discoveries in Israel continues with “City of David: Present Discoveries,” organized by IAA and scheduled for April 9, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the de Young Museum’s Koret Auditorium. Professor Ronny Reich, Senior Archaeologist of the City of David Excavations, will be the guest lecturer.
Legion of Honor is located at 34th Ave. and Clement Street, Lincoln Park in SF. For more info call 415-750-3600 or visit www.legionofhonor.org