Qumran - the location of the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Qumran is located on the north-western shore of the Dead Sea.  It had a Jewish population as far back as the eighth century.

In 68 AD during the Jewish revolt, the Romans conquered Qumran and dispersed the Essene Jewish sect who were living there at the time. The site was totally abandoned in about 135 AD.