CITY PLAN OF ANCIENT LACHISH

Aerial view of the tel of Lachish

Ancient villages and settlements were usually built on a slight elevation, near to water. The height gave the villagers a clear view of the surrounding countryside, and of approaching danger. The water source gave them the means to live and cultivate their crops.

Over the centuries, Lachish grew. It was overrun by invaders, and demolished by earthquakes many times. But it was a good site, so the houses were rebuilt and the town/city began again.

There were no earthmovers to clear the rubble, so people simply built over the remains of demolished houses. Because of this, the city gradually grew higher, and further from its original base.

By the time the Assyrians invaded, Lachish had been built and rebuilt so many times that it dominated the surrounding countryside. The hill on which it stood is now called Tel Lachish.

Ground plan of excavations at Lachish

Lachish was a purpose-built walled fortress offering protection and shelter, with a suitable residence for the governor appointed by the King of Judah.

During the 8th century BC a new wing was added to the palace, enlarging it by 76 x 36 meters.

Next to the palace was a courtyard with rows of storerooms. Taxed produce was kept here and doled out as payment to civil servants.

The whole complex was surrounded by a thick stone wall. There was only one entrance, up the ramped road and through a cleverly designed gate at the top of it (see center right of photograph below).

The siege ramp built by the Assyrian invaders is on the lower right of the tel.

Burnt walls, skeletons and broken vessels excavated at the site show all too clearly the disastrous fate its people suffered at the hands of the Assyrians.

Aerial view of Tel Lachish, from the northwest
The massive gateway (center far right) is still visible
The Assyrian siege ramp is also visible (lower center)