Scrolls at a glance and how to see and learn about them

What they are: Scroll fragments dating from about 250 B.C. to 65 A.D. that include the oldest-known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible. About a quarter of the scrolls are biblical.

Who wrote them: Many scholars believe residents of the Qumran settlement near the Dead Sea collected and/or transcribed the scrolls, but there is much debate on the issue.

What they were written on: Most of the scrolls, with text in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, were written on animal skin. Some were written on papyrus.

When they were found: The first scrolls were found in 1947 by a Bedouin herder. Over the next decade, more scrolls were found in a total of 11 caves.

Where they are now: Most of the scrolls, under the care of the Israel Antiquities Authority, are housed in museums in Jerusalem. A few additional scrolls are in Jordan.

The exhibit

Buying tickets: The exhibit runs Sept. 23 to Jan. 7. Tickets are for specific dates and times. Individual tickets are $19.75 for adults (ages 13 to 64); $10 for children (ages 3 to 12); $17 for seniors 65 and older; $8 for members ages 13 and older; $3 for members ages 3 to 12. To purchase: www.pacsci.org/dss/tickets.html or 877-DSS-1947. Group bookings: 206-443-2937.

What to expect: Organizers say to set aside 90 minutes to go through the exhibit. An audio tour is included in the ticket price. The exhibit is organized into eight areas:

• Israel's history and archaeology
• Video presentation on the Dead Sea region
• Discovery of the scrolls
• Science of the scrolls
• Historical time of the scrolls
• Model of the Qumran ruins
• Gallery of 10 Dead Sea Scrolls, including four never before seen in public (a war scroll and scrolls from the biblical books of Genesis, Exodus and Ezekiel)
• Sacred texts from various religious traditions

More information: www.pacificsciencecenter.org

Lectures on the scrolls

The Pacific Science Center is presenting lectures in conjuction with the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. All lectures begin at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle. There is an additional noon lecture on Oct. 18 covering the same topic as that evening's lecture. $15 per lecture. Information on the speakers and tickets available at www.pacificsciencecenter.org . Tickets also available at any Pacific Science Center ticket booth or 60 minutes before the program begins at Town Hall.

Sept. 27: "The significance of the scrolls for the study of the Hebrew Bible, early Judaism and the birth of Christianity"

Oct. 4: "Mysteries of the Dead Sea Scrolls"

Oct. 11: "The Seattle Dead Sea Scrolls and the stories they tell"

Oct. 18: "The Dead Sea Scrolls, Jesus and 'The Da Vinci Code'."

Oct. 25: "Using technology to reveal and safeguard the Dead Sea Scrolls"

Nov. 1: "DNA and the Dead Sea Scrolls"

Nov. 8: "Ancient roots of faith: a moderated interfaith dialogue"

Nov. 15: "Bringing the Dead Sea Scrolls back to life"

Nov. 29: "How the Dead Sea Scrolls were uncovered and saved"

Dec. 6: "Identical cousins: The Holy Spirit in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament"

Dec. 13: "The archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls"

In addition, Seattle Pacific University is presenting a panel discussion on "The Dead Sea Scrolls: Uncovering Their Secrets," 7 p.m. Oct. 12, at the Upper Gwinn Commons of the campus, 3307 Third Ave. W., Seattle. Free. www.spu.edu.