What Color Was Papyrus?

According to a recent study, quality ancient papyrus sheets were usually white. According to the authors, modern commercial papyrus is treated with lye, which turns the papyrus pith from its natural white to yellow, presumably in order to imitate the appearance of aged papyrus. But they argue that papyrus sheets when they were produced in antiquity were probably white.

A New Identification of a Psalm Manuscript from Qumran: 4Q85 + 4Q98c

I just got news that an article I co-authored with Brent Strawn has now been published as an advance article in Dead Sea Discoveries:

Drew Longacre and Brent Strawn, "A New Identification of a Psalm Manuscript from Qumran: 4Q85 + 4Q98c." DSD Advanced Articles (2022): 1-8.

Abstract

This brief note proposes a new identification for a fragment of one of the Psalm manuscripts from Qumran. On the basis of material conditions—but above all else, the distinctive paleography of the script—4Q98c (4QP st) should be considered as part of the same manuscript known as 4Q85 (4QP sc). If this identification is correct, the latter now contains material known from the second half of the (proto-)MT Psalter, increasing the plausibility that it once contained the entire book of Psalms.

MIDRASH – Migrations of Textual and Scribal Traditions via Large-Scale Computational Analysis of Medieval Manuscripts in Hebrew Script

A recent news release describes the newly funded ERC Synergy Grant "MIDRASH – Migrations of Textual and Scribal Traditions via Large-Scale Computational Analysis of Medieval Manuscripts in Hebrew Script." Congratulations to all who are involved in this exciting new project to combine the latest in handwriting recognition and the KTIV database for Jewish manuscripts.

Galil on New Hezekiah Inscriptions

For those who haven't seen it, Gershon Galil has just announced on Facebook his claimed identification of several new inscriptions from the reign of Hezekiah in the area of the Siloam tunnel. See also some Hebrew news coverage on the discovery. If this pans out, it would be a remarkable and important discovery.

More Virtual Unwrapping of Dead Sea Scrolls

Christy Chapman and Brent Seales announce the successful virtual unwrapping of another layered set of Dead Sea Scrolls fragments in Bible History Daily.

Kim Phillips on the Masoretic Tradition

Kim Phillips has a simple and well-illustrated introduction to the Masoretic Hebrew tradition on the TCI page.

Papyrus Production in el-Qaramus, Egypt

A bit old, but still interesting, here are some resources on modern papyrus production in el-Qaramus, Egypt.

Business Insider video

Al-Jazeera article