Tel Lachish
Israel
Tel Lachish is one of Israel's most important archaeological sites, offering a fascinating glimpse into ancient history. This ancient city was a key player in biblical times. Visitors can explore the impressive ruins, including city walls, gates, and remains of ancient buildings. The site features evidence from the famous Assyrian siege of Lachish in the 8th century BCE, as well as an ancient palace, a rich array of pottery, and impressive murals that tell the story of this once-thriving city. With stunning views of the surrounding landscape, Tel Lachish offers a memorable experience for history lovers and those seeking to explore a significant archaeological site.
Contents
10 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Tel Lachish, one of the most significant and dramatic archaeological sites in the entire ancient Near East. As you stand here today, surrounded by pastoral vineyards and the gentle rolling hills of the Shephelah, it is…
Listen in the app2The Outer Fortifications and the City Plaza
Our journey into the ancient past begins at the lowest and outermost layer of the city defenses. As you approach the massive stone ramparts before you, take a moment to look at the dark, distinct black line painted across the…
Listen in the app3The Colossal Six-Chambered Inner Gate
Having passed through the outer defenses, we now arrive at the magnificent inner gate complex. This is arguably the most critical civic space in the entire ancient city. …
Listen in the app4The Desecrated Gate Shrine
As we step into one of the designated side chambers of the great inner gate, we are confronted with one of the most shocking and fascinating archaeological discoveries ever made at Tel Lachish. You have just walked into a…
Listen in the app5The Lachish Letters Room
Moving just a few steps away into another small, seemingly inconspicuous side chamber of the gate complex, we arrive at the site of one of the most poignant and heartbreaking archaeological discoveries in biblical history. It was…
Listen in the app6The Assyrian Siege Ramp and the Bone Cave
We now move away from the gate and walk to the extreme southwest corner of the tel, looking outward over the steep drop of the defensive walls. Here, we step backward in time, away from the Babylonian destruction, to an earlier…
Listen in the app7The Palace Fort of the Judean Kings
Ascending to the very highest elevation on the summit of the tel, we arrive at the expansive, sweeping foundation of the Palace Fort. You are now standing on the remains of the largest single building from the Iron Age, the…
Listen in the app8The Domestic Quarter and the Area AA Excavations
Moving just a short distance from the grand royal courtyard, we step into a completely different world. We are now in what archaeologists call Area AA, the domestic quarter that sits immediately adjacent to the palace. …
Listen in the app9The Solar Shrine of the Persian Period
As we walk toward the eastern edge of the tel, we arrive at the final major architectural feature of our journey, a structure that represents a totally different era of history and a fascinating shift in religious behavior. You…
Listen in the app10Closing
As our journey through the monumental ruins of Tel Lachish comes to a close, take a final moment to stand at the edge of the tel and gaze out over the vast, sun-drenched expanse of the Lachish Valley. We have walked across…
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What is Tel Lachish?
Tel Lachish is a place in Israel with 10 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Israel |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 10 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 31.5659, 34.8486 |
| Last updated |
