Why were the scrolls originally hidden in those caves? What was happening at that time that the needed to be hidden.
Any scholars on this subject please reply. Just curious.
11. The Scrolls appear to be the library of a Jewish sect. The library was hidden away in caves around the outbreak of the First Jewish Revolt (A.D. 66-70) as the Roman army advanced against the rebel Jews.
http://www.centuryone.com/25dssfacts.html
Essenes. They were stored by the Essenes.
Assyrians. Romans. Crusaders. Muslims.
The same reason why every good Jewish story about a rabbinic debate starts off with “three rabbis were hiding in an attic...”
Nobody knows for sure, but it was done over periods of several centuries (as many scrolls are much older than others). It was probably to protect them from invading armies (especially the Romans). They are the most well-preserved and oldest copies of the Old Testament books ever found.