Tower of Jericho, Archaeological structure in Jericho, Palestine
The Tower of Jericho is a round stone construction at the ancient site of Tell es-Sultan in Jericho, Palestine. Its walls are solid and enclose a narrow staircase that climbs from the base to the upper opening.
Excavations in the 1950s by British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon brought the remains from around 8000 BCE to light. The builders belonged to a pre-pottery community that did not yet make ceramics but still raised complex stone structures.
The settlement of Jericho grew into one of the first permanent communities in human history during this period, and the tower stands as evidence of this early social organization. Visitors can see the steps inside and imagine how these people worked together ten thousand years ago to raise a construction of this scale.
The site lies at Tell es-Sultan, just outside the modern center of Jericho, and is surrounded by an archaeological park. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the ground is uneven and the steps are narrow.
Research from Tel Aviv University suggests that the orientation may relate to observing the summer solstice. The design with its thick walls and internal stairway is considered one of the oldest forms of monumental architecture anywhere.
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