“The Ancient City of Jericho: History, Facts, and Biblical Significance”

“Jericho’s Location: Geography of the World’s Oldest City”

Location: Jericho is situated in the West Bank, a territory located in the eastern part of the Levant, near the Jordan River and close to the northern shores of the Dead Sea. This region has long been regarded as a crossroads of ancient civilisations, owing to its central location between Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Topography & Elevation: Jericho holds the distinction of being one of the lowest cities on Earth, situated at approximately 258 meters (846 feet) below sea level. This unique positioning in the Jordan Valley places it within the geological depression known as the Great Rift Valley, which spans from Lebanon to Mozambique.

Climate & Environment: Despite being in a generally arid and desert-like region, Jericho is located in an oasis that has allowed it to flourish for millennia. A city’s climate characterises the city’s surroundings; however, the presence of natural springs has made the area unusually fertile and habitable.

Water Source: The most important natural feature is Elisha’Elisha’s (also known as Ain es-Sultan), a perennial spring that has provided a continuous water supply for agriculture, livestock, and human consumption. This reliable water source has sustained JerichoJericho’stion for over 10,000 years, making it a magnet for early human settlers.

Agriculture & Fertility: The combination of fertile soil, warm temperatures, and a steady water supply created ideal conditions for early agriculture. The ancient inhabitants of Jericho cultivated wheat, barley, and legumes and domesticated animals such as sheep and goats. The region later became known for producing dates, figs, and balsam—products that contributed to its economic and strategic importance throughout antiquity.

Strategic Significance: The historic location also made it a strategic hub for trade and travel. It lies along ancient trade routes that connected the interior highlands to the Mediterranean coast and the Arabian Peninsula, allowing it to develop into an early commercial centre.

🏺 History of Jericho: Prehistoric to Ancient Era (10,000–1,200 BCE) Explained

🏕️ Neolithic Jericho (c. 10,000 BCE)

Jericho is widely recognised as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with roots tracing back to the Neolithic period, around 10,000 BCE. Located near the Jordan River in the West Bank, early Jericho was more than a simple settlement—it was a pioneering human community that showcased major milestones in prehistoric development.

 📌 Related Article: https://www.britannica.com/place/Jericho-West-Bank

Archaeological evidence reveals that the inhabitants of Neolithic Jericho built stone dwellings, developed fortified defensive walls, and constructed a remarkable stone tower dated to approximately 8,000 BCE. These early architectural achievements are some of the earliest examples of urban planning in human history.

📌 Learn more:  https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/development-agriculture/

JJericho’son provided access to water and fertile land, enabling its people to engage in agriculture and animal domestication. These developments marked critical steps toward a more complex society and are considered key milestones in the evolution of early human civilisation.

📌 Explore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertile_Crescent#:~:text=The%20western%20zone%20around%20the,(Tell%20es%2DSultan).

🏛️ Bronze Age Jericho

During the Bronze Age, Jericho evolved into a flourishing Canaanite city-state, playing a prominent role in the ancient Near East. This period, roughly spanning from 3,300 to 1,200 BCE, saw Jericho grow in both population and political importance.

📌 Related Reading:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z874kqt#zdv72v4

The city gained fame for its extensive fortification systems, featuring thick stone walls and formidable defensive structures. These walls are famously linked to the biblical account of the “walls” of Jericho, which, according to the Book of Joshua, came tumbling down during the Israelite conquest.

📌 Biblical Connection: The Fall of Jericho: What the Bible Says vs. Archaeology

Thanks to its strategic location and access to trade routes, Bronze Age Jericho became a hub for commerce, agriculture, and culture. However, the city was not immune to hardship—it experienced cycles of destruction and reconstruction due to invasions, wars, and natural disasters such as earthquakes.

📌 Further Reading:  https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/silk-road/

Despite these challenges,Jericho’sence and ability to rebuild contributed to its long-standing historical significance, cementing its reputation as one of the most important archaeological sites in the Middle East.

📌 Explore More: Top Archaeological Sites in the Middle East

📖 Biblical Jericho (c. 1400 BCE)

Jericho is famously mentioned in the Book of Joshua in the Hebrew Bible as one of the earliest cities conquered by the Israelites. According to the biblical narrative, the Israelites, led by Joshua, marched around the city walls for seven consecutive days. On the seventh day, after blowing their trumpets, the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, allowing the Israelites to capture the city. This iconic story has made Jericho a significant location in biblical history and archaeology. However, modern archaeologists and historians continue to debate the historicity of this event, as archaeological evidence does not fully confirm the biblical account. For more details on biblical archaeology, see our Guide to Archaeology in the Ancient Near East.

🕍 Classical Period (c. 1st millennium BCE – 7th century CE)

During the Classical Period, Jericho experienced significant political and cultural shifts as it came under the control of several powerful empires, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and later the Greeks and Romans. This era marked a period of prosperity and development for the city.

One of JerichoJericho’se’s features during this time was its extensive balsam plantations, prized for producing a valuable aromatic resin used in perfumes and medicines. These plantations thrived particularly under the reign of Herod the Great, who famously constructed a luxurious winter palace near Jericho, showcasing the city’s presence within the Herodian kingdom. Learn more about Herod the Great’sGreat’sectural legacy.

Under Roman rule, Jericho became a thriving trade hub and administrative centre, benefiting from its strategic location along key trade routes that connected Judea to the broader Roman Empire. The Romans improved infrastructure, including roads and aqueducts, further boosting JerichoJericho’sic status. This period also saw the city becoming a melting pot of cultures, reflected in its diverse archaeological remains.

For a deeper look into Jericho during the Roman era, check out our article on Roman cities in the Holy Land.

🕌 Islamic & Medieval Periods

Jericho was conquered by Muslim forces in the 7th century CE during the early Islamic expansions, marking the beginning of the city’s city history under various Islamic caliphates. Despite its earlier prominence, Jericho became a relatively small village during this period but remained continuously inhabited, maintaining its strategic and agricultural significance in the region.

Throughout the Medieval Period, Jericho came under the control of several ruling powers, including the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, followed by periods of Crusader occupation during the Crusades. Later, it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire from 1517 to 1917, during which it continued to function as an agricultural centre renowned for its date palms and natural springs. The Ottomans contributed to JerichoJericho’structure, preserving its role as a key settlement in the Jordan Valley.

For more on Jericho’s history and medieval significance, explore our detailed guide to the History of the Crusades in the Holy Land and the Ottoman Empire’s presence in Palestine.

🇵🇸 Modern Jericho

In the 20th century, Jericho became part of the British Mandate of Palestine, a pivotal era that significantly shaped the modern political landscape of the region. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Jericho was annexed by the Kingdom of Jordan, becoming part of the West Bank.

Since the signing of the Oslo Accords in the 1990s, Jericho has been under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority. Today, it is recognised as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and remains a small but historically and culturally significant urban centre.

Jericho attracts numerous visitors annually, drawn by its rich archaeological heritage, including the famous ancient mound Tell es-Sultan, widely regarded as the site of the original Jericho settlement dating back over 10,000 years. The city’s climate and natural springs also make it a popular destination for tourists seeking a glimpse into the deep history of the Jordan Valley.

For travellers interested in exploring Jericho, see our comprehensive Jericho Travel Guide and learn about the city’s archaeological treasures in our article on Tell es-Sultan Excavations.

If you would like to explore the history of Jehrico further, here are a few recommended books.

Ancient Jericho: The History and Legacy of One of the World’s Oldest Cities 

by Charles River Editors

Please click on the link:  https://amzn.to/4ki5VgW

The City of Jericho

by Step Ldowu Omolola 

Please click on the link:  https://amzn.to/4koZGI7

 DTA – Neil McBride

(CEO and founder of Downtown Angels)