The DEAD Sea Scrolls are a collection of ancient manuscripts discovered in the 1940s in the Qumran Caves near the DEAD Sea. The scrolls contain some of the oldest known versions of the Hebrew Bible as well as other religious texts. They are believed to have been written by members of a Jewish sect known as the Essenes, who lived in the area during the Second Temple period. The scrolls provide insight into the beliefs and practices of the Essenes and offer a unique window into the history of Judaism during this time period.