Ruins outside Jericho new to the World Heritage List

The ruins of Tell el-Sultan are known as one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back to 2600 BC. The UN agency believes that the oval-shaped archaeological site is located about two kilometers from the oldest part of the city of Jericho, and should not be confused with the historical monuments there.

Tell Sultan has been on the UNESCO waiting list for classification for three years. No objections were raised during that period, according to an anonymous UN diplomat.

– There are no Jewish or Christian finds at the site. It’s a prehistoric find, he says.

The area is under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Israel withdrew from UNESCO in 2019, after accusations that the UN body was biased.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement that the decision “proves the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people,” and pledged to preserve the “unique site.”

In addition to Tel Sultan, several other sites have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List, including five Danish circular castles from the Viking Age.

– The Ringborg region is an invaluable cultural heritage, and now it is recognized at the highest level, as part of world history, Culture Minister Jacob Engel-Schmidt told DR, adding that it is “incredibly big.”

In addition, medieval Jewish buildings in the German city of Erfurt, the old town of Kuldiga in Latvia, and 56 khans in Iran – shelters along the Silk Road – were added to the list.