Although scholars disagree about where exactly Ai (pronounced “eye”) is located, there are three possible sites, all near each other. Of course, Ai is famous in the book of Joshua as the Children of Israel lost their only battle here, thanks to Achan’s sin. However, in the next battle, the Israelites pulled an maneuver that caused the inhabitants of Ai to leave their position, only to turn back and see their city burning when a contigent of Israel’s troops lit it on fire. This day Ai was conquered.

In this first of 16 episodes, Joel Kramer provides archaeological and visual evidence to support the case for one of the sites as being the city of Ai. (Video length: 17:03)

To see the other episodes in this 16-part series, click here.