The prehistoric site of Tell es-Sultan, in the occupied West Bank, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Engraved in UNESCO marble, the world heritage listing of the prehistoric site of Tell es-Sultan, a land of archaeological excavations located near the Palestinian city of Jericho, in the occupied West Bank, marked with a white stone this Sunday, September 17, 2023.
It was in Riyadh, capital of the Saudi kingdom, that this inscription in the annals of History was officially ratified, after three years of waiting, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee. “ The nominated property is the prehistoric archaeological site of Tell es-Sultan, located outside the ancient site of Areha », Announced Ernesto Ottone, Deputy Director General for Culture within the UN organization for Education, Science and Culture.
It is ” a matter of great importance and proof of the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people “, immediately rejoiced the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, pledging to continue to watch ” sur this unique site for all humanity “.
🔴 NEWS FLASH!
New inscription on the List of #World Heritage of the’@UNESCO_fr : Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan, in #Palestine 🇵🇸. Well done ! 👏
➡️ https://t.co/AmUvOtRhlo #45WHC pic.twitter.com/6BEiCzskqR
— UNESCO in French (@UNESCO_fr) September 17, 2023
Pou Rula Maaya, the happy Palestinian Minister of Tourism, this UNESCO World Heritage listing demonstrates in the most beautiful way that the site of Tell es-Sultan, anterior to the Egyptian pyramids, which is characterized by its oval mound in the Jordan Valley and contains precious prehistoric remains, testifying to human activity in time immemorial, ” is an integral part of Palestinian heritage, diverse and of exceptional human value “.
The site “ deserved » this prestigious inscription, given its “ importance as the oldest fortified city in the world »she underlined, while UNESCO highlighted the “ permanent settlement established there between the 9th and 8th millennium BC, due to the oasis’ fertile soil and easy access to water “.
