“Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times” opens May 19 at the Museum of Science

By June Wulff, Globe Staff

Thanks to a Bedouin goatherder, you will soon be able to see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of Science exhibit, “Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times.” The archaeological gem will be at the museum May 19-Oct. 14 presented in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority.

But back to the goatherder...

In 1947, the shepherd came upon a hidden cave along the Dead Sea shore containing 972 preserved scrolls, which had not been seen for 2,000 years. The handwritten texts include the earliest Biblical texts ever found.

“The centerpiece of ‘Dead Sea Scrolls: Life in Ancient Times’ encompasses 20 rare fragments from the Dead Sea Scrolls collection, some never before exhibited,” the museum says.

Each set of 10 will be on display for about three months. The scrolls will be presented within a 25-foot-diameter Communal Scroll Table featuring 10 individual chambers, one for each scroll, along with the full English translation, a large image and a detailed explanation of each scroll’s significance.

The exhibit will include more than 600 objects, including a three-ton stone from Jerusalem’s Western Wall, a replica of a four-room house, weapons, stone carvings, terracotta figurines, remains of religious symbols, coins, shoes, textiles, mosaics, ceramics, and jewelry.

Timed tickets go on sale March 19.