Dr. Stephen J. Pfann the Dead Sea Scrolls Cryptic Texts Expert and Founder of The University of the Holy Land

His Scholarship, His Impact and His Legacy Through Academic Citations

Discover the life and legacy of Dr. Stephen J. Pfann—one of the world’s foremost experts on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the mysterious cryptic texts of Qumran.

In this groundbreaking bibliometric biography, Antony Hylton (MA) traces more than three decades of Pfann’s remarkable scholarship, from his pioneering decipherment of Cryptic A manuscripts to his archaeological excavations in Nazareth and Qumran.
As founder of the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, Dr. Pfann trained a generation of students in the careful study of ancient Hebrew manuscripts, archaeology, and biblical languages—bridging faith, science, and discovery.

Through citation analysis, publication patterns, and historical reflection, this book illuminates:

• 🕎 The decipherment of the Dead Sea Scrolls cryptic texts and their place in Second Temple Judaism.

• 🏺 Pfann’s archaeological work in Nazareth and the Judean Desert, connecting the Bible to the land.

• 📚 His role as an editor and educator who helped open the scrolls to the wider scholarly community.

• 💡 A fresh methodological approach—using academic data to map influence, collaboration, and legacy.

• ❤️ Personal reflections on a kind teacher and visionary scholar whose humility matched his brilliance.

Perfect for readers interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical archaeology, Hebrew paleography, Second Temple studies, and the history of modern biblical scholarship, this volume is both a scholarly resource and a heartfelt tribute to a man who dedicated his life to uncovering the Word hidden in ancient stone and script.