Tell el-Sultan (Ancient Jericho)
Deir El Balah
Tell es-Sultan, also known as Ancient Jericho, is an archaeological site in Palestine recognized as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities globally. Located near the Ein es-Sultan spring, it was first settled by Natufian hunter-gatherers around 10,000 BCE, predating agriculture. The site is renowned for its Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA) phase, where one of the earliest proto-cities emerged, featuring circular mud-brick houses and a massive stone wall with a central tower built around 8000 BCE. This tower, once the tallest structure in the world, signifies advanced social organization. After a hiatus, the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) settlement arose around 6800 BCE, notable for plastered human skulls that indicate early artistic and ritual practices. Tell es-Sultan offers invaluable insights into early urbanization, social complexity, and cultural evolution in the southern Levant region.
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Tip: Visitors should plan to visit during the cooler months to avoid the intense summer heat. It is advisable to book guided tours or entry tickets in advance where possible, especially during peak tourist seasons. Discounts may be available for students and groups. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as the terrain can be uneven. Early morning visits can provide a quieter, more contemplative experience of the ancient ruins.
Interesting facts
- •The stone tower at Tell es-Sultan, built around 8300 BCE, was the tallest man-made structure until the Pyramid of Djoser.
- •Tell es-Sultan is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the world, with evidence of settlement dating back to 10,000 BCE.
- •The site features plastered human skulls from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period, representing some of the earliest known examples of portraiture or ritual artifacts.
- •The massive stone wall surrounding the PPNA settlement suggests early social organization and labor division in human history.
History
Tell es-Sultan has been inhabited since the 10th millennium BCE, beginning as a Natufian hunter-gatherer camp.
Around 8500–7500 BCE, during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A period, it developed into a fortified proto-city with a massive stone wall and tower.
This settlement was abandoned for several centuries before the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B phase began around 6800 BCE, introducing new cultural elements such as plastered skulls.
Over millennia, Tell es-Sultan has been central to Levantine archaeology and understanding early human settlement patterns.
Place Guide
The Stone Towerc. 8300 BCE
A central stone tower built around 8300 BCE, standing as the tallest structure of its time and symbolizing early architectural achievement and social complexity.
Pre-Pottery Neolithic A Settlementc. 8500–7500 BCE
The remains of circular mud-brick houses from the PPNA era, illustrating early sedentary life and proto-urban planning without streets.
Plastered Human Skullsc. 6800 BCE
Ten plastered skulls from the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B period, painted to reconstitute facial features, possibly used as household ritual objects or early portraiture.
