Born January 5, 1906, England
Died August 24, 1978

The site of the ancient city of Jericho (located in what is now Jordan) has long intrigued modern archaeologists. Frequently mentioned in the Bible’s Old Testament, the city was an important cultural center and travel destination in the ancient world because it held a commanding position in the lower Jordan River valley—between the Sea of Galilee (now Bahr Tabariya) and the Dead Sea—and also because it had a steady supply of spring water.

The best-known Biblical incident involving Jericho is in the Book of Joshua. Joshua was a leader of the Israelites sometime between 1400 and 1250 B.c. Held as slaves in Egypt, the Israelites had crossed the desert to Canaan or Palestine, which God had told them was their Promised Land. Not allowed into Jericho by the Canaanites, the Israelites marched around the...