Khirbet Qumran is situated on the marlstone plateau, on the NW shore of the Dead Sea, overlooking the Ein Feshkha Springs. Roland de Vaux’s almost complete excavations at the site from 1951-1956 have shown that the site was already occupied during the First Temple Period, which led some scholars to identify it with biblical Secacah (Josh 15:61). The site was rebuilt at the end of the 2ndcentury BCE with almost continued occupation until the Romans destroyed it during the Great Revolt (66-73 CE). Qumran’s fame comes from hundreds of Dead Sea Scrolls discovered in 11 different caves around the site. The most prevailing opinion is that Qumran was occupied by the Essenes who were a Jewish sectarian religious community. Other opinions are that the site was a military fortress, villa Rustica, commercial center, production plant or combination of the above.