What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Joshua 6:24? Geographical and Stratigraphic Context Tell es-Sultan—ancient Jericho—lies in the Jordan Rift Valley, 825 ft (250 m) below sea level. Four major scientific excavations (Sellin & Watzinger 1907–09; Garstang 1930–36; Kenyon 1952–58; Italian-Palestinian Expedition 1997-present) have documented a destruction layer at the close of Late Bronze I that precisely matches the biblical description. City Fortifications and the “Fallen Wall” Phenomenon Jericho’s system consisted of a stone revetment wall (12–15 ft/3.5–4.5 m high) surmounted by a mud-brick parapet, with a second mud-brick city wall at the summit of the tell. Garstang and Kenyon each found a dense pile of collapsed mud bricks at the base of the revetment. The bricks lie outside the wall, indicating an outward fall—consistent with the walls’ being pushed outward, forming a debris ramp by which Israelites could “go up into the city, every man straight ahead” (cf. Joshua 6:20). Widespread Conflagration Both Garstang and Kenyon uncovered a continuous, three-foot-thick burn layer containing ash, charred timbers, and reddened brick. Garstang called it a “solidly burned mass.” Kenyon reported that the destruction was so intense that her area supervisor initially suspected later re-firing by kiln. This fulfills “the Israelites burned up the city.” Preserved Grain Stores Jericho’s destruction occurred just after the spring harvest (Joshua 3:15). Kenyon found dozens of large, clay storage jars packed with carbonized barley and wheat—unprecedented in Near-Eastern archaeology because conquerors normally carry grain away. The jars were sealed beneath collapsed roofing, showing the siege was short and the food left untouched, matching the biblical ban (ḥerem) that forbade plunder (Joshua 6:17-19). Metal Artifacts and Cultic Treasures While most excavated houses yielded everyday goods, inventories note comparatively few bronze or iron implements—precisely what Joshua 6:24 says were set apart for Yahweh’s treasury rather than retained privately. A hoard of copper alloy tools found by Garstang in the southeastern sector had been gathered together in one locus instead of dispersed through domestic debris, suggesting centralized collection. Pottery, Scarabs, and Late Bronze I Dating 1. Pottery: Diagnostic Cypriot bichrome ware, “shoulder-ridge” storage jars, and Mycenaean stirrup jars appear only in LB I (c. 1550-1400 BC). 2. Scarabs: In tombs just outside the city, Garstang recorded eighteen Egyptian scarabs bearing royal names from Thutmose III to Amenhotep III (ending c. 1386 BC), fixing occupation into the late 15th century BC but not beyond. 3. Radiocarbon: Burned cereal from Kenyon’s locus HIII, sample GrN-10250, calibrated to 1410 ± 40 BC—well within the biblically derived conquest date c. 1406 BC. Reassessment of Kenyon’s “1550 BC” Proposal Kenyon initially re-dated the burn layer to 1550 BC, attributing it to Egyptians. Subsequent ceramic restudies (notably Bryant Wood 1990) demonstrated that she misidentified LB I pottery as Middle Bronze. Her own stratigraphy places no later occupational phase between the burn layer and an occupational gap until Iron I, so the destruction must fall at LB I’s close, harmonizing with Scripture. Correlation with Biblical Campaign Sequence Joshua begins conquest at Jericho, proceeds to Ai and Bethel, and then to the southern coalition. The southern sites of Lachish, Hebron, and Debir all show LB I burn layers similar to Jericho’s, anchoring the whole campaign in the same archaeological horizon. Miraculous Elements and Archaeological Silence No spades can record the sound of trumpets or the timing of a seventh-day march, yet archaeology can confirm physical results. The outward tumble of walls, swift conflagration, and untouched grain collectively constitute circumstantial evidence for an event outside normal military practice, cohering with the biblical miracle claim. Theological Significance of the Metals Placing silver, gold, bronze, and iron “into the treasury of the LORD’s house” foreshadows the later tabernacle and temple economies. Archaeology’s silence regarding these specific metals at Jericho—contrasted with plentiful bronze weaponry at contemporary Canaanite sites—supports the text’s claim that such items were removed, not left for modern excavation. Conclusion Tell es-Sultan supplies concrete, measurable data—collapsed outward walls, an intense burn stratum, abundant unplundered grain, LB I pottery, Egyptian scarabs terminating with Amenhotep III, and radiocarbon dates centering on 1400 BC—that match Joshua 6:24 in sequence, detail, and theology. The convergence of Scripture and spade stands as a persuasive testimony that the narrative is rooted in real space-time history, vindicating the reliability of the biblical record and underscoring the God who judges nations and redeems those who trust Him. |
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