Jericho and Beth Yerah

Archaeological excavations at Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan have uncovered evidence that challenges and refines the biblical narrative of its destruction. Fragments of a wall, dated to the 14th or 13th century BCE, show signs of burning, aligning with the period of Israelite conquest described in the Bible. However, modern research suggests doubts about the precise identification and dating of these fragments, complicating the historical verification of biblical accounts. The site's long history as a center for moon worship, inhabited by Canaanite tribes under Egyptian rule from the second millennium BCE until the Israelite invasion, has been confirmed through thorough excavations conducted over decades by English and German teams. This study bridges ancient textual records with archaeological evidence, offering new insights into the site's layered past.

Bentwich, N. (2024). Jericho and Beth Yerah. The New-Old Land of Israel, 129–139. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003477433-9