Jericho

 

Location: Map

 

Jericho, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is located in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea in the modern-day Palestinian Territories. Its historical, archaeological, biblical, and cultural significance spans over 10,000 years, earning it the nickname “City of Palms” (Deuteronomy 34:3).

 

Historical Context

Jericho’s history stretches back to the Neolithic period, making it a key site for understanding early human civilization. Its strategic location in the fertile Jordan Valley, near the Jericho Oasis (fed by the Ein es-Sultan spring), provided abundant water and arable land, fostering settlement.

Prehistoric Origins (c. 10,000–7000 BCE):
Jericho is home to one of the earliest known permanent settlements, dating to the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA) period (c. 9600–8500 BCE). Early inhabitants transitioned from hunter-gatherers to farmers, cultivating crops like wheat and barley.
The Natufian culture (c. 12,500–9500 BCE) preceded this, with evidence of semi-sedentary life near the spring.

Bronze Age (c. 3000–1200 BCE):
Jericho flourished as a walled city during the Early and Middle Bronze Ages, with sophisticated fortifications and urban planning. It was a hub for trade, connecting Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Levant.
The city faced destruction multiple times, possibly due to earthquakes or invasions, followed by rebuilding.

Iron Age and Later Periods:
By the Iron Age (c. 1200–586 BCE), Jericho was under Canaanite and later Israelite control. It remained significant during the Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman periods.
In the 1st century CE, Herod the Great built a winter palace in Jericho, exploiting its warm climate and agricultural wealth. The Hasmonean dynasty also constructed palaces here.

Byzantine to Modern Eras:
Jericho thrived as a Christian center in the Byzantine period, with churches and monasteries. It declined under Islamic rule but persisted as a small settlement.
Today, Jericho is a Palestinian city in the West Bank, with a population of about 20,000, known for agriculture (dates, bananas) and tourism.

 

 Biblical Significance

Jericho features prominently in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the Book of Joshua, and has a minor role in the New Testament.

Conquest by Joshua (Joshua 6):
The most famous biblical story is the Israelite conquest of Jericho, led by Joshua after the Exodus. According to the narrative, the Israelites marched around the city’s walls for seven days, blowing trumpets, and on the seventh day, the walls collapsed, allowing them to capture the city.
This event is dated by some scholars to the Late Bronze Age (c. 1400 BCE), though archaeological evidence for this specific destruction is debated (see below).

Other Old Testament References:
Jericho appears in stories of the prophets Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2), with Elisha purifying its spring. It was also a place of settlement during the Divided Monarchy (1 Kings 16:34).

New Testament:
Jesus passed through Jericho, healing the blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46–52) and meeting Zacchaeus, the tax collector (Luke 19:1–10). The city’s proximity to Jerusalem made it a stopover on pilgrimage routes.
The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) is set on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho, a historically dangerous route.
Jericho’s biblical role as a city of conquest, miracles, and redemption makes it a focal point for Jewish and Christian traditions.

 

 Archaeological Discoveries

Jericho’s archaeological record, excavated by teams like John Garstang (1930s), Kathleen Kenyon (1950s), and ongoing Italian-Palestinian projects, reveals its long history. The primary site is Tell es-Sultan, near the Ein es-Sultan spring.

Neolithic Period:
PPNA Settlement (c. 9600–8500 BCE): Excavations uncovered a large stone tower (8.5 meters tall, 9 meters wide), one of the earliest monumental structures known. It may have served defensive, ceremonial, or communal purposes.
A massive stone wall (3.6 meters high, 1.8 meters thick) surrounded the settlement, protecting about 2,000–3,000 residents. Mudbrick houses were round or oval, with plastered floors.
The “Jericho skulls,” plastered human skulls with shell eyes, suggest ancestor veneration or ritual practices.
PPNB (c. 8500–7000 BCE): Rectangular houses and advanced agriculture mark this phase, with evidence of domesticated plants and animals.

Bronze Age:
Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000–1550 BCE) remains include cyclopean walls, a palace, and a necropolis with shaft tombs containing pottery, jewelry, and offerings.
A destruction layer (c. 1550 BCE), possibly from an Egyptian campaign or earthquake, aligns with the decline of the Hyksos period.

Iron Age and Later:
Sparse Iron Age remains suggest a smaller settlement, consistent with biblical references to rebuilding (1 Kings 16:34).
Hasmonean and Herodian palaces at Tulul Abu el-Alayiq (south of Tell es-Sultan) feature aqueducts, bathhouses, and mosaics, reflecting Hellenistic-Roman luxury.

Byzantine Sites:
Churches, such as the 6th-century Shalom Al Yisrael Synagogue with a mosaic floor, and monasteries indicate a Christian presence.

Debate Over Joshua’s Walls:
Kathleen Kenyon’s excavations found no Late Bronze Age (c. 1400 BCE) city walls, challenging the biblical account of Joshua’s conquest. However, some scholars argue earlier walls (Middle Bronze) could be misdated, or the story is symbolic.
Erosion and continuous occupation may have obscured evidence, leaving the issue unresolved.

 

 Cultural and Social Aspects

Jericho’s culture evolved with its inhabitants, reflecting diverse influences over millennia.

Neolithic Society:
Early residents were among the first to practice agriculture, domesticating crops and animals. Communal structures like the tower suggest social organization.
Ritual practices, evidenced by plastered skulls and figurines, indicate spiritual beliefs tied to fertility or ancestry.

Bronze Age:
As a Canaanite city, Jericho was polytheistic, worshipping deities like Baal and Asherah. Tombs reveal social stratification, with elites buried with luxury goods.
Trade with Egypt and Mesopotamia brought pottery, tools, and cultural exchange.

Roman and Byzantine Periods:
Herod’s Jericho was cosmopolitan, with aqueducts and gardens reflecting Roman engineering. The elite enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, while farmers and laborers sustained the economy.
Byzantine Jericho was a Christian hub, with pilgrims visiting sites linked to Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus.

Daily Life:
Diets included grains, dates, figs, and fish from the Jordan River. The oasis enabled year-round farming.
Homes ranged from mudbrick huts in the Neolithic to stone villas in the Roman era, reflecting technological and economic shifts.

 

 Modern Jericho

Today, Jericho is a vibrant Palestinian city and a major tourist destination, balancing its historical legacy with modern life.

Tourism and Sites:
Tell es-Sultan: The UNESCO World Heritage Site (designated 2023) showcases Neolithic remains, including the tower and walls.
Hisham’s Palace (Qasr Hisham): An 8th-century Umayyad palace with stunning mosaics, including the “Tree of Life.”
Mount of Temptation: A hill west of Jericho, traditionally associated with Jesus’ temptation (Matthew 4:1–11), hosts the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation, accessible by cable car.
Sycamore Tree: A tree in Jericho’s center is linked to Zacchaeus’ story, a pilgrimage stop.

Economy:
Agriculture remains central, with date palms, bananas, and citrus fruits exported. The city’s low elevation (258 meters below sea level) supports a warm climate for farming.
Tourism drives revenue, with visitors drawn to biblical and archaeological sites.

Cultural Identity:
Jericho hosts festivals, like the Jericho Winter Festival, celebrating its heritage. The city is a symbol of Palestinian resilience and history.

 

 Challenges and Preservation

Environmental Risks: The Jordan Valley’s seismic activity and erosion threaten archaeological sites. Water scarcity, due to regional conflicts and climate change, impacts the oasis.
Political Context: As part of the West Bank, Jericho faces challenges from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including access restrictions for tourists and researchers.
Preservation Efforts: International teams, including UNESCO and Italian-Palestinian projects, work to protect Tell es-Sultan and other sites. Conservation focuses on stabilizing structures and documenting finds.