News New Wrinkle In Scrolls Scandal Dead Sea scholar refutes missing records charge, but admits key artifacts have vanished from the Ecole Biblique. U nder the best of circumstances, time moves so swiftly that we don't even notice until the leaves begin to fall or the snow starts to melt. But, planning ahead makes the change in any sea- son more bearable. THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL has the knowledge and expertise to satisfy your requirements of a Pre-Arranged Funeral. THE IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL Bringing Together Family, Faith & Community 18325 West Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 • Telephone: 248.569.0020 • Toll Free: 800.325.7105 Please visit us at our new web site www.irakaufman.com THE KAUFMAN November 6-9. Gently used COMMUNITY CORNER clothing, jewelry, linens, toys Sixth Annual / Hadassah Rummage Sale November 6-9, 1997 The Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah holds its Sixth Annual Rummage Sale, and household items are available. We accept cash and Visa/Mastercard. 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Mark Klinger and Robert Bodzin, Licensed Funeral Directors LASTING MEMORIALS OF DISTINCTION DETROIT MONUMENT WORKS • Free design service 14441 W, 11 Mile OAK PARK, MI 48237 10/31 1997 186 1-248-399-27 1 Hours: 9:30-4 Daily; Sun. by appt. • Free delivery in Metro area • Servicing all cemeteries in the Metro area ERIC J. GREENBERG Special to The Jewish News D ead Sea Scroll archaeologists who claim there is an inter- national scandal regarding missing documents must have their heads in the sand. This from a California scholar who says he knows where some of the manuscripts are: in his Hebron Road apartment. Stephen J. Pfann, director of the Center for the Study of Early Christianity, said that he is currently translating into English — for the first time — the excavation notes made in the 1950s by legendary French Dead Sea Scroll excavator Father Roland de Vaux. "I have the notes right in front of me on my lap," Pfann announced, saying he is shooting for a 1998 publi- cation date. But he says the notes are not as comprehensive as many experts were hoping. And he also confirmed that priceless artifacts excavated from the desert ruins by de Vaux's team of Bible scholars have vanished. Pfann wanted to dispute charges made by several noted archaeologists that de Vaux's 50-year-old field records are missing or being withheld from the public by the Ecole Biblique de Francaise, the French Dominican Bible school in east Jerusalem. The Ecole holds the rights to de Vaux's notes, some scrolls, and related ancient objects but has failed to publish all the records for more than 40 years. Pfann confirmed charges by Qumran scholars that priceless ancient coins and other artifacts found in the Dead Sea ruins have vanished — a devastating blow to Dead Sea Scroll scholars who call it an international scandal that should be investigated by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. "Yes, the coins are missing," Pfann admitted. Also missing are pottery shards, glass, and metal objects that could help archaeologists pinpoint dates for the scrolls. Pfann said there are some notes which identify coins and some pottery, but archaeologists argue that isn't enough. In the 1950s De Vaux excavated the ruins of Qumran, an ancient Jewish settlement in the Judean Desert, near the caves where the Dead A, Sea Scrolls were found. Dismissing critics of the Ecole, which is sponsoring his work, Pfann claimed some of de Vaux's notes were published 40 years ago — in French. He waved away criticism from experts such as Tufts University archaeologist Jodi Magness who say that until all of de Vaux's notes are published, scholars are "just making it up" regarding their conclusion about the Qumran site -4- located about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem — and who lived there. But Pfann said the critics com- plaints demonstrated "a bit of their impatience." He also said, "I think they're feeling embarrassed that they are trying to make the best with notes from the 1950s." But Magness said: "I don't think waiting 40 years qualifies as impa- tience. They [Ecole] didn't publish the material; they're the ones to be embar- rassed." She said the notes could help conclude that the Qumran sect were Essenes, a sectarian Jewish group wh(;) feuded with what they believed were corrupt Jerusalem priests. She also explained that a full report of de Vaux's work has never been pub- lished, contrary to Pfann's contentio.i. What has been published are prelimi- nary reports which contain errors. And she questioned why Pfann, who is not an archaeologist, has beer allowed by the Ecole to prepare the English translation of de Vaux's notes. Pfann meanwhile had bad news for archaeologists hoping that de Vaux's notes would provide them excavation data they are seeking. He said the notes do not contain standard data such as section drawings and building elevations. "De Vaux didn't take any elevatidD records," Pfann revealed. "I think what they're hoping for is a modern excavation, and this wasn't." Pfann detailed a series of events that contributed to the delay of publishinf, de Vaux's field notes, including: the Israel-Arab Six-Day War in 1967 when some of the scrolls changed hands from Jordan to Israel causing political havoc; de Vaux's death in 1972 and his failure to cultivate a successor to pick up the (, research; and a chronic lack of funds at the Ecole to keep scroll research going. "We're good scholars, but we're not great fundraisers," he said. ❑ ' - New York Jewish Wee;