Top Archaeological Discoveries Related to Joshua and the Conquest

The books of Joshua and Judges describe the settlement of the Israelites in the Promised Land. Some have suggested the archaeological evidence does not support the biblical description of the conquest of Canaan in the 15th century BC. This can be based on a faulty reading of the biblical text, expecting widespread destruction throughout the region and instantaneous new cultural remains signalling the arrival of the Israelites. Numerous scholars have noted that the Israelites did not immediately take over the entire land, destroy all the cities, re-build their own cities and establish their own distinct, material culture. One needs to understand the Bible describes a limited, prolonged conquest of Canaan, with the Israelites living amidst the local population whom they failed to completely defeat.

Simply put, the distinct archaeological record of their presence would be limited, and would begin to appear over a period of time. This isn’t to say that there is no evidence of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under Joshua. The following discoveries demonstrate the historical reliability of the biblical description of Joshua’s conquest of Canaan.

Burn Layers at Jericho, Ai, and Hazor

God promised the Israelites that they would live in most of the Canaanite cities once they had taken them: “I gave you a land on which you had not labored and cities that you had not built, and you dwell in them. You eat the fruit of vineyards and olive orchards that you did not plant.” (Joshua 24:13). In fact, the book of Joshua records that only three cities were destroyed by fire: Jericho (Josh. 6:24), Ai (Josh 8:28), Hazor (Josh. 11:11). Interestingly, there are 15th century BC destruction layers at all three sites.

Data on Cities Destroyed by Fire

  • Jericho (Josh. 6:24): Fiery destruction dated to the 15th century; jars of burned grain affirm the short duration of the siege and that the plunder had been devoted to the Lord for destruction.
  • Ai (Josh. 8:28): 15th-century destruction layer discovered at Khirbet el-Maqatir; revealed pottery refired in a site-wide conflagration.
  • Hazor (Josh. 11:11): 15th century BC destruction attributed to Joshua; a burnline measuring half of a meter in some places reveals signs of a great conflagration.

The Walls of Jericho

The first city the Israelites conquered in Canaan was Jericho. The Bible describes the moment the city was taken: “So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.” (Josh. 6:2). Excavations at Tell es-Sultan (Old Testament Jericho), have revealed two city walls: an inner wall and an outer wall. Each wall consisted of a stone foundation, affirming the structural details of the ancient site.

Evidence of Uzziah’s Earthquake in Jerusalem

Archaeologists excavating in Jerusalem, near the Temple Mount and a First-Temple-era wall have unearthed evidence of an 8th century BC earthquake. Stones from an upper part of the northern walls had collapsed, shattering a row of vessels that had been along the wall beneath. The excavation directors believe this corresponds to the great earthquake which occurred in the days of King Uzziah, and is mentioned in Amos 1:1 and Zech. 14:5. Archaeological evidence for “Uzziah’s earthquake” has been found at other sites in Israel, including at Hazor and Tell es-Safi/Gath.

Additional Significant Biblical Discoveries

Further excavations reveal evidence of various biblical events and figures across the region:

  • Hazael’s Breach at Gath: Archaeologists at Tell es-Safi (biblical Gath) believe they have discovered the spot where Hazael, the Aramean king of Syria, breached the city walls. The Bible records that “Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath and took it” (2 Ki 12:17). A missing 10-meter section of the heavily fortified wall indicates where the army breached the foundations.
  • Nabonidus Inscription: A 2550-year-old inscription from the Babylonian king, Nabonidus, was discovered in Saudi Arabia. He was father to, and co-regent with, King Belshazzar from the book of Daniel.
  • Jerusalem Palatial Toilet: An ancient 2700-year-old toilet was discovered in-situ near the Armon Hanatziv promenade. Private toilets were considered a luxury during the era of the kings of Judah.
  • Roman Crucifixion Evidence: The skeleton of a man from Roman England was unearthed with a nail embedded in one of his heel bones, providing rare archaeological evidence of this type of punishment mentioned in ancient writings.