Artificial intelligence is helping scholars unlock new secrets from the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls—and revealing they may be centuries older than previously estimated.

Researchers at the University of Groningen have used AI-powered tools to date fragments of the scrolls more precisely, potentially transforming our understanding of early Jewish and Christian texts, the US Sun reported.

The analysis, led by Dutch scholars, utilized a system named Enoch, after the biblical figure known for wisdom and learning. The system used advanced machine learning techniques to examine 135 manuscripts from the collection known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The scrolls, first discovered between 1946 and 1956 in caves near Qumran by Bedouin shepherds, include some of the earliest known versions of the Hebrew Bible, as well as legal records, hymns, and prayers. Over 980 texts have been uncovered, mainly in Hebrew, but also in Aramaic and Greek.

Many scholars believe the scrolls were preserved by a strict Jewish sect called the Essenes, who occupied the area around Qumran. Before this research, experts broadly estimated the scrolls dated between the third century BCE and the second century CE.

AI Tool Named Enoch Helps Refine Dating

The new AI system, Enoch, was trained on 62 digital samples of ink strokes from 24 manuscripts that had already undergone radiocarbon dating. This dual-method approach allowed researchers to build a model with high confidence in its predictions.

One of the most significant contributions of AI was its ability to reduce uncertainty in dating the scrolls. The results narrowed that margin to about 30 years, offering a much clearer timeline for when the texts were written.

In some cases, the AI confirmed previous scholarly estimates. But in others, it suggested changes to widely accepted views on ancient Hebrew scripts and the origin periods of specific fragments.

Findings May Alter Understanding of Biblical Texts

The AI discovered that Hasmonaean-type script—a style of Hebrew writing—may have been in use earlier than the 150–50 BCE timeframe currently accepted by scholars. This revelation hints at a more complex timeline for script development in ancient Judea.

Similarly, the Herodian script, once thought to have emerged later, may have existed decades before estimated. Enoch’s findings suggest both scripts were in use simultaneously beginning in the late second century BCE.

This breakthrough has implications for how historians connect certain scrolls to specific historical eras. In particular, it may reshape scholarly interpretations of key events such as the rise of the Hasmonaean dynasty and the origins of movements within Judaism and early Christianity.

First Evidence Links Texts to Authors’ Eras

According to the research team, two biblical scroll fragments have for the first time been definitively linked to the historical periods of their presumed authors. This marks an important milestone in biblical scholarship and textual studies.

“With the Enoch tool, we have opened a new door into the ancient world, like a time machine,” the researchers said, emphasizing the tool’s novel capabilities. “It allows us to study the hands that wrote the Bible.”

Though Enoch successfully confirmed the timing of many writings, its greatest contribution lies in challenging long-standing assumptions, revealing a more intricate picture of script usage and text production during the Second Temple period.

Preserving a Legacy Through Science and Technology

The Dead Sea Scrolls remain one of the most influential archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Today, most of them are safeguarded in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.

By combining AI and traditional dating techniques, the University of Groningen’s project bridges ancient worlds and modern technology. It allows today’s scholars to revisit age-old texts with new insight and renewed accuracy.

As this method gains attention, historians may adopt similar tools for examining other ancient texts, offering hope that even more hidden knowledge may be brought to light from historical records still under study.