Arguments against Q-E Hypothesis

• There is strong evidence against this hypothesis as well. (1) Kirbet Qumran is a tiny settlement which could only house about 150 persons at any one time. Since several hundred different scribal "hands" have been identified in the material, the available population doesn't seem large enough to account for the diversity of handwriting. (2) Since the custom at the time was for scribes to write sitting cross legged with a board on their lap, the "writing" tables in the assumed scriptorium have come into question. (3) Finally, Pliny's description isn't specific enough to be definitely tied to Kirbet Qumran.