Dead Sea Scrolls Calendar
The Calendar (Mishmarot) of the Community at Qumram
From a parchment found at Qumram written ca. 50 bce-25 bce, the community observed a different calendar from their Jewish neighbors. Traditionally, the Jewish calendar is lunar, and delineates a ritual year of 354 days. The Jewish community at Qumram followed a solar calendar of 364 days. Thus the ritual observances in this community did not coincide with traditional practices.
Translation of the Calendrical Document (Mishmarot)
At Qumram. the New Year began on the day associated with the third day of creation (our Wednesday) and was divided into fifty two weeks and twelve months.The following passage indicates the ritual days:
" [on the first {day} in {the week of} Jedaiah {which
falls} on the tw]elfth in it {the seventh month}.
On the second
{day} in {the week of} Abiah {which falls} on the twenty f[ifth
in the eighth {month};and duqah {is} on the third] {day;
[in
{the week of} Miyamin {which falls} on the twelfth] in it {the
eighth month}.
In the third {day} in {the week of} Jaqim {which
falls} on the twen[ty fourth in the ninth {month}; and duqah {is}
on the fourth] {day};
[in {the week of} Shekania {which falls} on
the eleven]th in it {the ninth month}.
On the fifth {day} in {the
week of} Immer {which falls} on the twe[n]tythird in the te[nth
{month}; and duqah {is} on the sixth {day} in {the week of} Je]shbeab
{which falls}; [on the tenth in] it {the tenth month}.
On the [si]xth
{day} in {the week of} Jehezkel {which falls} on the twentysecond
in the eleventh month [and duqah {is on the} Sabbath in] {the
week of} Petahah {which falls; [on the ninth in it {the eleventh
month}].
On the first {day} in {the week of} Joiarib {which
falls} on the t[w]entysecond in the twelfth month; and [duqah
{is} on the seco]nd {day}
in {the week of} Delaiah {which falls};
[on the ninth in it {the twelfth month}. vacat
The] se[cond]
{year}: The first {month}. On the sec[on]d {day} in {the week of}
Malakiah {which falls} on the tw[entieth in it {the first month};
and] duqah {is}; [on the third {day}
in {the week of} Harim
{which falls} on the seventh] in it {the first month}.
On the fou[r]th
{day} in {the week of} Jeshua {which falls} [on] the twentieth in
the second {month}; and [duqah {is} on the fifth {day} in {the
week of]} Haqqos {which falls} on the seventh;
[in it {the second
month}. On the fifth {day} in {the week of} Huppah {which falls}
on the nine]teenth in the third {month}; and duqa[h] {is} on the
six[th {day} in {the week of} Happisses {which falls}..."
Translation and transcription by S. Talmon and I. Knohl ; The
Qumran Library