MONTREAL -- A rare exhibition of artifacts -- including parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls -- began a two-city Canadian tour yesterday, well out of the glare of camera lights. Soft lighting and controlled temperatures are key to preserving the collection of about 100 artifacts, many of which have never been seen outside Israel, say organizers.

The objects cover more than 1,000 years in history, from the days of King David to the first century of the common era. The exhibit will travel to Ottawa in the fall.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts discovered in 1947. They include texts of many of the books of the Old Testament, as well as commentaries and psalms, and are about 1,000 years older than previously known versions.

The exhibit, which was previewed yesterday, officially opens to the public today.