The Earliest Inhabitants

Ancient Jericho, one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites on Earth, reveals a complex layers of human occupation spanning millennia. Excavations at Tell es-Sultan have uncovered eleven successive cities built atop one another, providing unprecedented insights into the evolution of early human settlements in the region. The study highlights the presence of non-Semitic inhabitants during the later Stone Age, characterized by unique burial practices such as cremation and the construction of megalithic monuments like menhirs, cromlechs, and dolmens. These findings challenge traditional narratives about the earliest inhabitants of Palestine, suggesting a more diverse and sophisticated civilization than previously assumed. The research draws on extensive archaeological investigations conducted by prominent figures such as Flinders Petrie and James Macalister, integrating historical, religious, and scientific perspectives to reconstruct the site's rich history.

Rappoport, A. S. (2025). The Earliest Inhabitants. History of Palestine, 34–50. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003617747-3