Why where the dead sea scroll hidden? Was it to protect them or was it to cover up the tracks of the rich masters who could write?

Answer 1

YOu mean in the first place, or after they were found?

In the first place, they weren't hidden. They were simply lost. They were eventually found underwater, near the wreckage of an old boat. So it looks like they were being transported, but the boat sank.

Afterwards, they were hidden by the church so that the church could control their religion and hide any parts of the scrolls which contradict their teachings.

Answer 2

In Qumran, and they were SCROLLS not one scroll.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qumran

Why?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_S...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_S...