Imaging study finds some Schøyen Dead Sea Scroll fragments may be authentic

A Texas nonprofit used multispectral imaging on 31 purported Dead Sea Scroll fragments in the Schøyen collection and found evidence that both challenges and supports authenticity claims. The results could reshape debate over one of the largest modern caches of alleged scroll fragments.

Why it matters: - The findings add new technical evidence to a long-running authenticity dispute over Dead Sea Scroll fragments in the Schøyen collection. - If some fragments are genuine, the collection could include authentic first-century material alongside modern forgeries. - The work also strengthens the case for multispectral imaging as a tool for testing ancient manuscript provenance.

What happened: - The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts, or CSNTM, worked with the Oslo Cathedral School Rare Book & Manuscript Library to image manuscripts from Martin Schøyen’s collection. - CSNTM used multispectral imaging in September 2026 on dozens of biblical artifacts, including Septuagint, Coptic, patristic literature and Aramaic materials. - The project focused in particular on 31 fragments purported to be Dead Sea Scroll artifacts. - The imaging captured details invisible to the naked eye, including faded ink and material traits tied to authenticity. - One fragment, MS 4612-1, contains Joel 4:1-5 and was said to come from the Qumran caves and date to 30 BCE-68 CE.

The details: - CSNTM said the imaging revealed text on MS 4612-1 that was mostly invisible without the technology. - Researchers noted that some ink appears inconsistent with the wear of the leather medium and may have been written over deteriorated material. - Dead Sea Scroll scholar Årstein Justnes of the University of Agder said the findings could have major implications for Dead Sea Scroll research. - Justnes described the fragment as potentially the first known example of a Dead Sea Scroll forgery that predates 2002, when many disputed fragments entered the market. - The second cache of fragments that emerged in 2002 is now understood to be primarily inauthentic. - CSNTM said the majority of Schøyen’s Dead Sea Scroll fragments appear to be modern forgeries. - The imaging also produced details that support the hypothesis that some Schøyen fragments are authentic. - Torleif Elgvin, professor emeritus of Biblical and Jewish Studies at NLA University College in Oslo, joined the research team to assess authenticity. - CSNTM Assistant Executive Director and Lead Research Fellow Denis Salgado said Elgvin’s input lent added credibility and was both reassuring and informative. - The team said some images showed physical characteristics consistent with genuine first-century CE fragments.

Between the lines: - The project does not settle the authenticity question, but it moves the debate from broad claims to fragment-level evidence. - The mixed results suggest the Schøyen collection may not fit a simple authentic-versus-fake binary. - The study also shows how imaging can surface forensic clues even when handwriting and material analysis alone remain inconclusive.

What's next: - CSNTM said the multispectral data should inform further research on the Schøyen fragments. - Salgado said the imaging does not provide conclusive proof, but it confirms some theories and challenges other assumptions. - Scholars are likely to continue testing individual fragments against material, paleographic and provenance evidence.

The bottom line: - The Schøyen collection now has stronger technical evidence for both forgery and authenticity claims, and the debate is likely to narrow around specific fragments rather than the collection as a whole. - More information is available at CSNTM.