We are delighted to formally announce that the 12th Congress of the International Organization for Qumran Studies will take place at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Mon 11 Aug - Thurs 14 Aug 2025, in conjunction with the IOSOT meeting.

The theme for the Twelfth Meeting of the IOQS will be Manuscripts and Materiality. We welcome paper submissions on any aspect of this theme (broadly construed), or on any topic related to Qumran Studies. Scholars at all stages (including PhD students) are encouraged to submit a proposal.

A detailed description of the theme and instructions on how to propose a paper can be found at the IOSOT website (CLICK HERE). We look forward to seeing you in Berlin!

Dr Paul Collins and Prof Hindy Najman
Origins and resilience: The Vitality of Judaism in Archaeology, Art and Texts
Wednesday 26 June at 5.00pm (BST) on Zoom with Zoom access from 4.45pm (BST) followed by Q&A
 
Please click on this link to register your attendance
 
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/origins-and-resilience-the-vitality-of-judaism-in-archaeology-art-texts-tickets-906691648127
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The origins of Judaism in the period 900 BCE to 700 CE can be explored through a combination of archaeology, art and texts. It is a story of a Jewish world immersed in and imprinted by the peoples among whom they lived – Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and Arabs - and out of which emerged concepts fundamental to the development of early Christianity and Islam. The result was an outpouring of extraordinary architecture and visual art as well as astonishing literature, poetry and theology. The story has never been told through a public exhibition and this talk will explore early thinking about how it might be made a reality. It would challenge misconceptions about Judaism and its place in antiquity.
 
Dr Paul Collins is Keeper of the Middle East Department at the British Museum. He was previously Professor of Ancient Middle East and Jaleh Hearn Curator at the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford.
 
Professor Hindy Najman is Oriel & Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at Oriel College, University of Oxford