The Dead Sea and Surroundings

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is the lowest point in the world at 1300 feet below sea level, and fills a natural basin formed by the Syria-African fault. This large salty lake is fed by water which springs from the hills from the north and is swollen by the streams of water in the hills that surround it from the east and west. The Dead Sea varies in depth from 130 feet in the north to 30 feet in the south. In the summer, the water level can go down by several feet due to evaporation. The waters of the Dead Sea are ten times saltier than the Mediterranean's, and as such prevent the existence of any complex ecosystem. In the Bible, it is a symbol of sterility and misfortune.

Qumran

Located 11 miles south of Jericho, on the western shore of the Dead Sea, is the site where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found. The discovery of the Scrolls was made in 1947 by an Arab shepherd looking for a stray goat in the western region of the Dead Sea. Seven scrolls were found, the most famous being the scroll of Isaiah, which is one foot wide and 24 feet long. Excavations at the site found more than 900 pieces of scrolls in more than 30 caves. Except for two scrolls written on copper, all the scrolls were written on leather and papyrus. Covering a period of 300 years, the writings in the scrolls include the birth of Christ and offer insights and a background to the teachings of Christ.  

The Jordan River

   The Jordan River is an unusual stream that flows from 3,000 feet above sea level at Mt. Hermon in Syria to the Dead Sea at 1,300 feet below sea level. With an average width of 100 feet, the Jordan River twists and curves for 160 miles but covers a straight-line distance of only 65 miles. Jesus came to the Jordan River from Galilee to be baptized by John. Since then, the river has been important to all Christians, the many of whom get baptized there.