New information and theories on the Essenes Reprinted from Ancient Mysteries, October 2001 Discovery of zinc coffin at Qumran - Archaeologists working near Qumran have discovered a masoleum that held over 1200 graves which may be the remains of an Essene cemetery. The site is only a few hundred yards away from the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947. Unfortunately between the time the scientists discovered the site and the time they could return to begin excavations, grave robbers struck the site. They did leave behind an unusual coffin made entirely out of zinc. Researchers believe that this was the coffin of a very important person since no other zinc coffins have ever been found in area of Palestine and Israel. Also the zinc outer coating enclosed a wooden coffin that was apparently brought to the site for reburial. Without the grave goods, coffin top or enclosed bones, the archaeologists can only speculate as to the time period or identity of the occupant. | |
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