Known as the "city of sin" in the Book of Jonah, Nineveh was the capital of the mighty Assyrian Empire.
: Many researchers now identify this massive site in the Jordan Valley as biblical Sodom.
Long the ultimate cautionary tale, these cities were destroyed by "fire and brimstone" in Genesis 19 . For years, their existence was doubted, but recent excavations have pinpointed compelling candidates. Lost Cities of the Bible
Jericho is often called the world's oldest city , with layers of civilization dating back 11,000 years.
: Its ruins were uncovered in the 19th century near modern-day Mosul, Iraq . Known as the "city of sin" in the
: Evidence at Tall el-Hammam shows the city was devastated by a sudden, catastrophic blast of intense heat and pressure around 1650 BCE. Scientists found "melted" pottery and scorched foundations consistent with a meteor or comet airburst , which would have incinerated life in an instant—matching the biblical description of destruction from the heavens. 2. Nineveh : The Reluctant Prophet's Mission
Here is a look at the most famous "lost" cities of the Bible and what archaeology tells us today. 1. Sodom and Gomorrah: The Sin Cities of the Plain For years, their existence was doubted, but recent
: Excavations revealed a spectacular palace with intricate carvings and a massive library of cuneiform tablets collected by King Ashurbanipal. The city’s massive size—described in the Bible as a three-day journey to traverse—has been confirmed by top plans showing its extensive walls and suburbs. 3. Babylon : The Golden City of Exile