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‘And the Walls Came Tumbling Down’ – The History and Historicity of the Biblical Account of Jericho

Khalid Elhassan May 16, 2025 16 min

Jericho - Depiction of the Old Testament's description of Jericho's walls miraculously falling down — Depiction of the Old Testament's description of Jericho's walls miraculously falling down. Pinterest

5. The Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) Period, Circa 7500 – 6000 BC, to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, Circa 4500 – 2000 BC

An ancestor statue from circa 7000 BC, unearthed at the ruins of ancient Jericho. Research Gate

During the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) period, architectural styles evolved, and rectangular buildings replaced earlier circular ones. Food production increased as the community expanded its agricultural activities and animal domestication, and the extra resources allowed for greater societal complexity. Burial practices also became more elaborate, as culture and spirituality advanced. The Chalcolithic period saw the introduction of metal tools and further agricultural developments.

In the Early Bronze Age, Tell es-Sultan grew into a fortified urban center with complex urban planning. The city expanded its fortifications and built more walls and a protective ditch, which indicates a greater concern with defense. Archaeological findings suggest that Jericho participated in extensive trade networks, and imported goods from regions such as Syria, Anatolia, and Egypt. Artifacts like pottery and tools reflect a blend of cultural influences, and underscore Jericho’s role as a hub of commerce and cultural exchange.

Written by

Khalid Elhassan

A lifelong history buff, I developed a particular passion for WW2 history as a child, when I spent hours listening to my grandfather, enraptured, as he recounted his wartime experiences in the British East African Campaign and with the British 8th Army in North Africa.

I graduated with a history BA from George Mason University, then went on to get a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. After lawyering for a decade, I moved to sunny Rio de Janeiro and a less demanding career, opening a tourism agency in Copacabana.

A big chunk of my free time is spent blogging (you can follow me on Quora https://www.quora.com/profile/Khalid-Elhassan ) or freelance writing, mostly about my favorite subject, history.