Biblical Lachish

Biblical Lachish was one of the most important cities in the Land of Israel for over 3,000 years. It played a central historical role during the period of rule by the kings of Canaan, followed by the kings of Israel and Judah. In the second millennium BCE Lachish was a large Canaanite city-state and during the Kingdom of Judah, a fortified city, second in importance only to Jerusalem. During Sennacherib's campaign to Judah, the Assyrian army lay siege to Lachish and conquered the city in a fierce battle. The unique importance of Lachish, the extensive archaeological excavations conducted there and the finds uncovered have made Tel Lachish a key site for the study of the history of the Land of Israel in the Biblical period. This book presents a general readership with the history of Lachish in light of the excavations conducted at the site, focusing upon the excavations carried out from 1973 to 1994 under the direction of David Ussishkin.