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Location: Nablus (ancient Shechem), in the West Bank

History: As early as the Byzantine period, pilgrims to the Holy Land mention visits to a holy shrine in Nablus known as the Tomb of Joseph. The limestone memorial shown here was built in the 1860s, perhaps on the site of an earlier structure. Recent press photos record its destruction: Palestinians destroy Hebrew texts found inside, throw a molotov cocktail at the tomb, and lay claim to the building, which they have begun to dismantle stone by stone. The tomb was later set on fire.

Biblical background: On his deathbed in Egypt, Joseph begged his brothers to bury him in Israel (Genesis 50:24–25). And so, according to Joshua 24:32, “The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried in Shechem.”

Date destroyed: October 7, 2000.