Jericho

 Ah, you’re asking about Jericho vs. Varanasi in terms of which is the oldest continuously inhabited city. Let’s break it down carefully.

1. 

Jericho (Palestine/West Bank)

• Archaeological evidence suggests Jericho has been inhabited since around 9000 BCE (Natufian culture).
• Some sources claim it may have been occupied for over 11,000 years.
• It is often cited as the world’s oldest known continuously inhabited city, though some gaps in occupation are debated among archaeologists.

2. 

Varanasi (India)

• Varanasi (also called Kashi or Benares) is considered one of the oldest living cities in the world.
• Historical and religious texts mention it at least 3,000–3,500 years ago, but some traditions claim it has been inhabited for over 5,000 years.
• Unlike Jericho, there’s continuous cultural memory and documented habitation, but archaeological evidence of continuous urban settlement is less ancient than Jericho’s earliest layers.

✅ Comparison

City	Earliest Evidence	Continuous Habitation	Notes
Jericho	~9000 BCE	Yes (with minor gaps debated)	Archaeological evidence strongest
Varanasi	~3000–5000 BCE (texts & archaeology)	Yes	Strong cultural continuity, less ancient material evidence than Jericho

Conclusion:

• Archaeologically, Jericho is generally considered the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.
• Culturally and historically, Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities, with uninterrupted cultural and religious significance.

If you want, I can make a timeline showing Jericho vs. Varanasi vs. other ancient cities to visualize their ages—it’s quite striking. Do you want me to do that?