The main problem with Hess’s argument is that each part of his vision of the conquest is certainly possible, but his argument requires a large number of merely “possible” interpretations to come together to make it work. In addition, seeing Jericho as a military base would imply a stronger centralized government that had the power and wealth to support it. However, such a powerful government was not known to be present in the hill country during this time period. The Amarna letters portray many small