SOURCE: INDEPENDENT UK

The artifacts, thought to be part of the historic Dead Sea Scrolls, will no longer be displayed.

Academics tested the fragments and found that the “show characteristics inconsistent with ancient origin and therefore will no longer be displayed at the museum,” the institution said.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are the oldest copies of Bible text ever found, and include passages of the Hebrew Bible, or Old Testament, that range from 1,800 to more than 2,000 years old. 

“Though we had hoped the testing would render different results, this is an opportunity to educate the public on the importance of verifying the authenticity of rare biblical artefacts, the elaborate testing process undertaken and our commitment to transparency,” said Jeffrey Kloha, the chief curatorial officer for Museum of the Bible, said in a statement.

“As an educational institution entrusted with cultural heritage, the museum upholds and adheres to all museum and ethical guidelines on collection care, research and display,” Mr Kloha said.

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