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Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > Jewish studies
The Cairo Genizah is considered one of the world's greatest Hebrew
manuscript treasures. Yet the story of how over a quarter of a
million fragments hidden in Egypt were discovered and distributed
around the world, before becoming collectively known as "The Cairo
Genizah," is far more convoluted and compelling than previously
told. The full story involves an international cast of scholars,
librarians, archaeologists, excavators, collectors, dealers and
agents, operating from the mid-nineteenth to the early twentieth
century, and all acting with varying motivations and intentions in
a race for the spoils. Basing her research on a wealth of archival
materials, Jefferson reconstructs how these protagonists used their
various networks to create key alliances, or to blaze lone trails,
each one on a quest to recover ancient manuscripts. Following in
their footsteps, she takes the reader on a journey down into
ancient caves and tombs, under medieval rubbish mounds, into hidden
attic rooms, vaults, basements and wells, along labyrinthine souks,
and behind the doors of private clubs and cloistered colleges.
Along the way, the reader will also learn about the importance of
establishing manuscript provenance and authenticity, and the impact
to our understanding of the past when either factor is in doubt.
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