Gate house

This tower has been identified as the gate house. It was the last obstacle before entering the city. It consisted of an inner and outer gatehouse and an open court between them. A road ascended towards the gate. The road and outer gate ran parallel to the walls of the city. After passing these, you would have to make a sharp right turn before entering the inner gate and the city. This would impede any attempt at an assault.David Ussishkin, “The “Lachish Reliefs”, Israel Exploration Journal 30, no. 3-4 (1980): 185-187.