CITY
They were almost always built on the side of a mountain or on a hill, where the water supply was secure. Cities always had walls, some of them up to 9 m. of thickness; sometimes they were protected by moats and towers.
The gates of the cities were closed at night (Josh. 2:5, 7). Inside the city the most important features were: the tower or castle; the high place, where sacrifices were offered and festivals were celebrated;
the large plaza next to the city’s entrance gate that served for social exchange in general; and the streets, simple narrow, winding, unpaved, dirty and dark alleys.