Jericho is the oldest and the lowest city in the world. Carbon 14 tests
date its beginnings to approximately 11,000 years ago. The life-giving spring
at the foot of the ancient tel or archaeological mound brings seasonal wonders
with orange-flowered poinciana trees, evergreens, palms and hibiscus. The oasis
is the secret of Jericho's endurance.
Fed from a rocky underground basin that traps the winter rains from the
Judaean highlands, the spring surfaces at the foot of the tel. It is known as
Elisha's Spring following his miraculous treatment of its waters (2 Kings
2:19-22).
In keeping with all Arab towns in Judaea and Samaria, Jericho also has
an appealingly low-level skyline. However, the humble, makeshift and deserted
refugee camps at its southern and northern ends are a grim reminder of current,
unsolved problems.