historical perspectives: from the hasmoneans to bar kokhba in light ...

ANALYSIS OF MICROSCOPIC MATERIAL 175
Thus the preliminary questions were answered in the affirmative.
There are microscopic traces associated with the scrolls and these
are capable of being characterized by light-based microscope types
of analysis. In addition, several collateral finds were reached. Using
the amount of synthetic fibers present in the material as an indicator
of degree of contamination, the material in the jars was much
less contaminated than the cellophane tape pieces. Also the dirt in
the jars from which the microscopic particles and fibers were removed
is different between the jars. Thus it is evident that these two jars
had different histories.
I would be remiss if I did not discuss the problem of dating the
microscopic traces. Trace evidence normally undergoes a process of
replacement by subsequent events. That is to say that as the person
or object moves or is moved, the older particles tend to fall off and
to be replaced by newer particles. In the case of the jars and the
scrolls, this movement from the time of storage was relatively minimal.
For this reason, addition, rather than replacement, was more
prevalent. Thus, the traces could be either modern or ancient. While
the synthetic fibers are, on the face of it, of modern origin, fibers
such as cotton and flax could be of either modern or ancient origin.
We face the same problem with hairs. Aging changes the appearance
of hairs and fibers but changes of appearance are not readily
quantifiable. At this time, no dating technique is known that will
allow for the dating of the small amounts of material we are dealing
with. Work will need to be done on the dating question if this
type of analysis is to live up to its potential.
Stitching
Two manuscripts were studied in the scroll vault of the Shrine of
the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. They were the Habakkuk
Commentary and the Isaiah Manuscript A from Cave 1.
The stitching joining the panels of these manuscripts was studied
utilizing a hand magnifier and ruler. The manner of stitching, its
twist and direction were recorded. In addition, the twist direction
and composition of the individual sewing threads was recorded. While
these are very simple parameters, changes in them are considered as
indicative of different tribes and cultures (Maslowski, 1996, and Peterson,
1996). Stitching tends, once learned, to be automatic, consistent,