The Bible states that Jericho was inhabited, and even fortified. Remember the record of the prostitute Rahab whose house was built into the wall and who helped the spies Joshua sent? Please, I beg you, for your own peace of mind, don't let that ( the bible describing her as a harlot ) be a stumbling block to you... perhaps ? in the future, GOD will reveal it to you when you need to know.... But, please, don't let this be a stumbling block to you....
I appreciate your concern but not to worry as I do not consider pointing out the good and Godly works of Rahab a stumble. Most especially when those that use the Bible as a map for sites to dig for treasure, claim it a record only when it suits their purposes to call a woman a prostitute when NONE of the record indicates she was any such thing.