The Tower of Jericho was built around the same time as the Wall of Jericho around 8000 BCE. While the wall was first uncovered in 1907, the tower was not found until 1952 during excavations conducted by Kathleen Kenyon.
Since its discovery, archaeologist have been trying to figure out what the tower might have been used for. Various suggestions include defense in conjunction with the wall, an anti-flooding system, a ritual center, and a political symbol of communal power. In 2011, two archeaologists from Tel Aviv University concluded that the tower was a symbol of power and might used to ward against the dangers present in the darkness.
