Went south to visit the area of Qumran, the location where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered. In early 1947, a Bedouin shepherd boy searching for a stray goat came upon the scrolls which were stored inside earthenware jars in a high cliffside cave. The scrolls are now on display at the Shrine of the Book, which is part of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. This event has been described as the most important discovery in the the history of the Jewish people.
Went further south to the
Chalk Caves. These were amazing! The entire cave system was made of chalk and could be pulled off by layers.
Finally, we visited
The Dead Sea and went for a floating swim! Known in Hebrew as Yam HaMelah (Sea of Salt), the Dead Sea is the world's lowest point lying some 400m below sea level. Compared to regular sea water, the water of the Dead Sea contains 20 times as much bromine, 15 times as much magnesium, and 10 times as much iodine - it is, in effect, 33% solid substance.
