Jericho is the site of the oldest town that has ever been discovered, with significant archeological ruins dating back as far as BC 10000. This period marks the transition from nomadic age to agriculture age. It's located about 2Km (1.25 mile) from today's city center, the original settlement of Jericho was excavated sometime in the 20th century. Ruins include an impressive hill, the oldest known stairs in the world, the oldest wall and the massive round, defense tower established before BC 7000.
Jericho is well-known for its biblical history as the site of siege by Joshua and the Israelites.
According to the account in the Book of Joshua, Jericho was captured from the Cananites by Joshua and was destroyed. The city functioned as an administrative center for the Persians in the 6th century BC and became a royal resort in the time of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. Around BC 30, Jericho was awarded to Herod the Great by the Roman emperor Augustus. Herod laid out new canals and built a theatre and a winter palace there. Between the 4th and 7th centuries AD Jericho attracted many pilgrims and the population went up considerably. 
     
Read more