The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient manuscripts discovered between 1947 and 1956 in caves near the Dead Sea in Israel. These texts date back to the third century BCE to the first century CE and include biblical manuscripts, sectarian writings, and other documents. They are considered one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century. The scrolls were likely created by a Jewish sect known as the Essenes, who lived in the nearby settlement of Qumran. The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls has provided valuable insights into the history of Judaism, early Christianity, and the development of the Hebrew Bible.