# Dead Sea Scrolls discovered (1947)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/1947-dead-sea-scrolls-discovered
Location: Qumran, Palestine
Themes: Archaeology

Bedouin shepherds discover the first scrolls at Qumran. At this point in the timeline (1947), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Pius XII (2 March 1939 – 9 October 1958).

## Why it matters
Dead Sea Scrolls discovered mattered because it offers material evidence for the history of Christianity and its background.

Pope at the time: [Pope Pius XII](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-pius-xii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Dead Sea Scrolls](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_Scrolls)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Dead Sea Scrolls discovered](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Dead+Sea+Scrolls+discovered)
- [Wikipedia — Modern Era (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_20th_century)