Ancient Jericho, Arabic Arīḥā (أريحا), town located in the West Bank. Located in the Judean Desert, Jericho is known as the "City of Palms" because of its lush landscape, watered by underground springs. Jericho is one of the earliest continuous settlements in the world, dating perhaps from about 9000 BCE. Archaeological excavations have demonstrated Jericho’s lengthy history.
Traces have been found of visits of Mesolithic hunters, carbon-dated to about 9000 BCE, and of a long period of settlement by their descendants. The size of this settlement justifies the use of the term town and suggests a population of some 2,000–3,000 persons. Jericho is famous in biblical history as the first town attacked by the Israelites under Joshua after they crossed the Jordan River (Joshua 6). A particularly important remnant from Umayyad rule is the remains of the Khirbat al-Mafjar, a remarkable 8th-century building complex situated in the Wadi Al-Nuwayʿima, some 3 miles (5 km) north of Jericho.
Hisham's Palace, also known as Khirbat al-Mafjar, is an archaeological site located in the West Bank, near the city of Jericho. It is renowned for its historical significance and the remnants of a palace complex that dates back to the early Islamic Umayyad period. Read more
The tel, or archaeological mound, at Tel es-Sultan has revealed evidence of human occupation dating back to the Neolithic period, making it one of the earliest known settlements. One of the notable findings at Tel es-Sultan is the series of ancient walls and fortifications that suggest the presence of a well-planned urban center. Read more
The third palace constructed by Herod in the late first century BCE, particularly in terms of its incorporation of water features, gardens, and the surrounding landscape was astounding. Positioned along a straight stretch of Wadi Qelt, the palace strategically utilized the seasonal water flow in the winter. Read more
The tower of Jericho is an architectural megalith dating roughly to 8300 BCE (Pre-Pottery Neolithic A Era), a time belonging to the Near East early Neolithic era, making it by far the oldest known monumental building. Ever since it was discovered there has been an unresolved debate for archaeologists and the general public alike regarding its function and purpose. The main three theories regarding the tower's purpose are that it may be part of a fortification system, that it is a part of a flood-deflection system, or that it is some sort of symbolic monument.
The site of Nabi Musa, situated in the Judean Desert near Jericho, is traditionally associated with the tomb of Prophet Moses. An annual pilgrimage, known as the Nabi Musa procession, takes place during the week of the Prophet Moses' birthday according to the Islamic lunar calendar. Read more
The Monastery of the Temptation, also known as Deir al-Quruntal or the Qarantal Monastery, is a historical site located near Jericho in the West Bank. This monastery is traditionally associated with the biblical account of the temptation of Jesus Christ. Read more
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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