What is the oldest known fortified settlement in the world? The answer lies in the ancient ruins of Jericho, where archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a remarkable stone wall dating back to around 8000 BCE.

The Wall of Jericho, as it is known, was built by some of the earliest known urban dwellers, predating the development of agriculture and the rise of the first civilizations. Excavations have revealed that this impressive structure, measuring nearly 12 feet high and 6 feet wide at the base, surrounded a settlement that grew to over 430,000 square feet in size by 8000 BCE.
Inside the walls, archaeologists have found evidence of a sophisticated society, including a large stone tower with an internal staircase, suggesting the existence of social organization and possibly even ceremonial activities.

The inhabitants of Jericho were also among the first to domesticate wheat, barley, and legumes, indicating the beginnings of an agricultural revolution.

After several centuries, the original settlement was abandoned, only to be replaced by a second walled city around 7000 BCE. This new community expanded the range of domesticated plants and may have even begun the domestication of sheep, further advancing the transition to a more settled, agricultural way of life.

The Wall of Jericho stood as a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of these early urban dwellers for thousands of years, until it was eventually destroyed, likely by an earthquake, around 1400 BCE.

The site remained largely abandoned until the 9th century BCE, when it was reoccupied.

Today, the ruins of Jericho, including the remnants of the ancient wall, can be found in the modern-day West Bank, Palestine, a testament to the enduring legacy of this remarkable structure and the people who built it.

The Wall of Jericho stands as a powerful symbol of humanity’s earliest steps towards the development of complex societies and the built environment that would shape the course of civilization.