Controversial “Dead Sea Scroll in Stone” in Museum Exhibit

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Jeselsohn Stone, also known as “Gabriel’s Revelation,” has made headlines across the globe and stirred much debate among biblical scholars, archaeologists, and others. Google the ancient tablet and hundreds of thousands of links appear. Now, see the world premiere of the three-foot-tall artifact - described by some as a “Dead Sea Scroll in Stone”- on public display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science in The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story, a new special exhibition opening Dec. 12, 2008 through April 12, 2009.

The Background of “Gabriel's Revelation”
Dr. David Jeselsohn, a noted collector of Mediterranean antiquities, acquired the stone from a Jordanian antiquities dealer in London about 10 years ago. Covered with ancient Hebrew script, the odd tablet piqued his curiosity. However, it wasn’t until three years ago when Jeselsohn asked Ada Yardeni, an Israeli scholar, to examine writings on other pieces in his collection that the stone would be, in a sense, re-discovered. Yardeni was drawn to the stone and its Hebrew writing, which she said resembled the Dead Sea Scrolls because the text is written in ink, not engraved. While experts agree that the stone itself is a properly dated, authentic archeological artifact, there is spirited disagreement regarding the exact meaning of the text.

The stone, dated to the late first century BCE and early first century CE, is written in two, partially preserved columns - 87 lines to be exact. However, it is the 80th line of the inscription on the stone which has caused some spirited debate. Professor Israel Knohl, a Hebrew University scholar of Talmudic and Biblical languages, believes that the partially obscured text supports his controversial theory that the story of a Messiah who would be resurrected from the dead after three days may have originated in Jewish tradition.

“We are grateful that Dr. Jeselsohn chose to publicly exhibit the “Gabriel’s Revelation” stone for the first time at the Houston Museum of Natural Science as part of the premiere opening of The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story,” said Joel A. Bartsch, president of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. “It has undoubtedly evoked a strong response, and we’re pleased to offer people the opportunity to examine the original artifact and draw their own conclusions regarding the vigorously debated claims as to the meaning of the text.”

The Jeselsohn Stone: Gabriel’s Revelation is on loan from the collection of Dr. David and Jemima Jeselsohn, Zurich. Behold the stone in The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story, opening Dec. 12, 2008.

Explore the cultural, political and personal events that shaped Jerusalem and the surrounding region more than 2,000 years ago in The Birth of Christianity: A Jewish Story. View the earliest known manuscript containing the story of Christ’s birth in the oldest known copy of the New Testament Book of Luke. Examine other ancient manuscripts including the prophetic Old Testament Book of Isaiah - one of the original Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran. Witness history first-hand and be among the first to view a host of other authentic artifacts from this fascinating time and place, which to this day remains one of the world’s most important and influential cultural intersections.

Tickets for the special exhibition are now on sale; $18 for adults; $16 for children (3 – 11), seniors (62+), and college students with a valid ID; $12.50 Museum members; $5 school groups; and $14 for groups of 20 or more. Audio guides are available for $5 members and $7 non-members. For tickets, or more information, visit the Museum's Web site or call (713) 639-4629.