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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.