Israel Joins AI Project Tracing Dead Sea Scrolls Origins

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced a new international effort with University of Groningen researchers to identify where Dead Sea Scrolls fragments were written. The Tracing Scribes and Scrolls project uses AI, handwriting analysis and chemical testing on carefully selected fragments, building on an ERC-funded research program led by Prof. Mladen Popovic. Israeli and Jewish outlets report the work will compare ink, parchment and scribal patterns to link manuscripts with communities and regions. The research treats the scrolls as a living heritage of Jewish history and Torah scholarship, using modern science to deepen Israel's stewardship of ancient testimony.