Deuteronomy 3:4 claims Israel took over 60 fortified cities—where is the archaeological evidence for such cities?

Deuteronomy 3:4 Text and Context

“Then we captured all his cities at that time; there was not a city that we did not take from them—sixty cities, the entire region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan” (Deuteronomy 3:4). This verse describes a sweeping conquest by the Israelites under Moses, indicating that an extensive number of fortified cities (sixty, to be exact) came under their control in the territory ruled by Og, King of Bashan. The question arises: if the text states there were sixty fortified cities, where is the archaeological evidence?

Geographical Setting of Bashan (Argob Region)

The region referred to in Deuteronomy 3:4 includes Bashan, often associated with the Golan Heights and its surrounding basaltic terrain. Bashan was known in the biblical era for its fertile land and strategic route positions. “Argob” is a subset of Bashan, typically thought to be a rugged, rocky area conducive to the establishment of fortified settlements.

Archaeological surveys in modern-day Golan have noted numerous ancient sites—some major, some minor—scattered across the landscape. Although not every site has been thoroughly excavated, evidence of early fortifications, megalithic structures (including dolmens and stone circles), and Iron Age remains do indicate a complex settlement history over several centuries.

Nature of Ancient Fortifications in the Region

1. Basalt Architecture: The Golan area is dominated by volcanic basalt rock, which was frequently used for building city walls and defensive structures. Excavations at sites such as Hippos (Sussita) and Gamla (though dating, in part, to a later period) illustrate how basalt was utilized to create strong enclosures. These excavations confirm that basalt could form substantial fortress walls, aligning with the biblical description of “high walls, gates, and bars” (Deuteronomy 3:5).

2. Multiple Settlement Layers: Many tells (mounds) in the region reveal stratification from the Middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age. Because cities were often built on top of earlier ruins, it can be difficult to isolate evidence from a specific time, such as the period of the biblical conquest. Nevertheless, underlying layers consistent with Bronze/Iron Age fortifications hint at how an array of fortified towns could have existed close together, lending credibility to the biblical statement of numerous cities in Bashan.

3. Incomplete Excavations: Archaeological research is ongoing, and many areas remain only partially explored. The region’s tumultuous history and geographic challenges mean some sites have seen limited excavation. Consequently, the absence of full documentation for every single city the Bible describes should not be taken as absence of existence. Modern excavations often uncover new data that sheds further light on biblical events, as seen with sites like Khirbet el-Maqatir (proposed by some to correlate with Ai) or Tel Hazor (illustrating extensive destruction layers). In the Golan/Bashan region, an equally patient approach is necessary.

Documentary and Extra-Biblical Points

1. Connections in Other Ancient Near Eastern Texts: While explicit references to “sixty cities of Bashan” outside of Scripture are not common, some ancient records, such as Egyptian texts and the Mari tablets, attest to the presence of numerous fortified sites throughout northern Transjordan and the surrounding areas. This aligns with a broader pattern of city-states that were well-fortified to protect trade routes.

2. Josephus’s Testimonies: Although written centuries later, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus described heavily fortified areas in territories east of the Jordan River (e.g., Antiquities 4.5.3), lending circumstantial support to the biblical claim that the region historically contained multiple walled towns. While Josephus’s statements do not constitute direct proof for the late Bronze Age, they do show a longstanding tradition recognizing fortified hubs in Bashan.

3. Archaeological Pottery and Settlement Patterns: Surveys have uncovered pottery fragments, basalt foundations, and indications of city walls across the Golan. These finds demonstrate that settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages existed in significant numbers. It remains plausible that the “sixty cities” cited in Deuteronomy refer to either the total cluster of these strongholds or a standardized list of significant provincial centers, large and small.

Consistency with the Overall Reliability of Scripture

1. Textual Transmission and Manuscript Evidence: Deuteronomy’s detailed narrative reflects a unified scriptural witness that has been faithfully transmitted. Examination of ancient manuscripts, such as the Dead Sea Scroll fragments (which include parts of the Torah) and the Masoretic Text tradition, supports a consistent reading of Deuteronomy 3:4, underscoring that the claim of “sixty cities” was not a later insertion. Leading manuscript experts affirm that the biblical text has remarkable stability across centuries.

2. Historical and Cultural Practices of Warfare: It was common in the ancient Near East to list the number of conquered sites to emphasize military success and territorial expansion. The mention of “sixty cities” mirrors other cultural records where kings boasted extensive campaigns. This tradition aligns with known literary frameworks of the era, reinforcing the plausibility of the biblical claim rather than undermining it.

3. Explaining Potential Gaps: Archaeology never provides an exhaustive map of the ancient world—time, erosion, reuse of materials, and ongoing conflict in certain regions can obscure or destroy evidence. The strong explanatory power of Scripture remains intact despite these gaps. As more excavations open in the Golan area, there is potential for further clarity on the cities alluded to in Deuteronomy.

Archaeological Discoveries Supporting a Broad Population

1. Settlement Distributions: Regional surveys show that the Jordan Rift Valley and upper Transjordan had a higher density of walled or fortified sites during the transition from the Late Bronze to the Iron Age than was once assumed. Lists compiled by archaeological teams working in the region document numerous sites with perimeter fortifications, watchtowers, and communal city gates.

2. Megalithic Structures as Indicators of Activity: Though megaliths in the region often predate the era of the Israelite conquest, their presence signifies that Bashan had been a locus of complex social and political organization. Such infrastructural sophistication would more easily support an interconnected system of fortified cities.

3. Parallel Instances in Scripture and Archaeology: The biblical record of ancient conquests indicates that some sites like Hazor, Jericho, and Ai were captured. Excavations at Hazor (a major Canaanite city) and correlations at other tells show that biblical accounts of conquest can align with stratigraphic destruction layers. While Hazor is west of Bashan, it serves as an example that when thoroughly investigated, archaeological data can match the biblical record closely. This same principle may apply once more sites in Bashan are methodically excavated.

Conclusion: Plausibility of Sixty Fortified Cities

The biblical mention of “sixty cities” in Deuteronomy 3:4 should be viewed within the broader context of ancient Near Eastern patterns of fortified settlements and the incomplete nature of archaeological exploration. Survey data, partial site excavations, references in external historical documents, and the basaltic topography conducive to fortification all support the essential biblical claim that Bashan was heavily defended and densely populated. Full corroboration may await future discoveries, but current evidence aligns sufficiently with the text, affirming Scripture’s reliability and historical authenticity in describing a large cluster of fortified towns under King Og.

“Then we captured all his cities at that time; there was not a city that we did not take from them—sixty cities, the entire region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.” (Deuteronomy 3:4)

These words stand as a historically credible claim, awaiting ongoing archaeological investigation which, in many cases, continues to reinforce the textual record.