SOCIAL MEDIA ZEITGEIST

In Jericho, one of the earliest centres of human settlement, an international competition is inviting architects and engineers to address the preservation of archaeological remains spanning approximately 10,000 years of history.

Organised by UNESCO in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, the competition focuses on Tell es-Sultan, also known as Ancient Jericho.

View of the ruins of ancient Jericho. Jericho Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, via UNESCO

The archaeological site was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2023, recognising its importance in understanding the emergence of early urban settlements and the development of human communities.

Covering approximately 5.93 hectares, Tell es-Sultan contains evidence of successive civilisations and settlement patterns, including one of the earliest known examples of monumental construction.

At the centre of the competition is Trench I, an excavation undertaken between 1952 and 1958 that reveals 29 distinct periods of human occupation, from the Neolithic period to the Early and Middle Bronze Ages.

The excavation also contains an ancient stone tower, measuring approximately eight metres in height, with an internal staircase that provides valuable evidence of early construction techniques.

Despite its historical significance, the exposed excavation remains vulnerable to direct sunlight, rainfall, wind and increasing visitor pressure.

The architectural challenge is not to introduce a landmark, but to develop a protective structure that safeguards the archaeological remains without compromising their historical character or relationship with the surrounding landscape.

The competition calls for an adaptable shelter capable of improving environmental protection while incorporating controlled visitor access, carefully framed views and opportunities for archaeological interpretation.

Its design should also provide a reference for potential interventions elsewhere within the archaeological site, allowing conservation principles to be applied across different excavation areas.

Ruins of ancient Jericho. Jericho Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, via UNESCO

Beyond its technical requirements, the project raises questions about the role of contemporary architecture within culturally sensitive environments, where interventions must respond to historical evidence, conservation requirements and the needs of local communities.

The competition is international and open to eligible architects and multidisciplinary teams. Participants must submit four A1 design panels and a written report outlining their proposed architectural approach.

The winning entry will receive US$30,000 and a contract for detailed design development and construction supervision. The selected team must also collaborate with an experienced Palestinian professional, architectural practice or educational institution.

Second and third prizes of US$20,000 and US$10,000 will also be awarded, with the results expected between January and February 2027.

For architectural practices, the initiative represents an opportunity to combine conservation expertise, structural engineering and environmental design within a UNESCO World Heritage setting.

The competition illustrates how architectural intervention can contribute to cultural preservation through carefully considered structures that protect historical evidence while making it accessible to future generations.

Submissions remain open until 15 December 2026, offering international teams an opportunity to participate in a project where architectural restraint and technical expertise are central to the brief.

Further Information

UNESCO – International Design Competition: Protective Shelter at Tell es-Sultan / Ancient Jericho

UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Ancient Jericho / Tell es-Sultan