Lachish drone survey

Lachish was a strategically important fortress guarding the southern flank of Judah’s territory. Hezekiah built up fortifications at Lachish, Azekah and other towns in the low hills of Judah, hoping to keep the invading Assyrians from reaching Jerusalem. Lachish fell, although Jerusalem was miraculously saved (2 Kings 18-19). Tel Lachish looks like a large hill today. Upon closer inspection, one can see several areas where archaeologists have uncovered ruins of buildings, the city gate, and even the faint remains of the siege ramp the Assyrians built to come against the city. That ramp is the oldest known in the world. A more dramatic siege ramp can be seen on the  western side of Masada in the Judean Wilderness.