During December 2008, a salvage excavation was conducted close to Khirbat Bulei‘is (Permit No. A-5560; map ref. 18576–89/55163–8), due to earthmoving and drainage work along Highway 3. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Ministry of Defense, was directed by Y. Haimi, with the assistance of Y. Lender (administration), V. Essman and M. Kipnis (surveying and drafting) and the Sky View Company (aerial photography).
Khirbat Bulei‘is is an ancient farmstead that is attributed to the Byzantine–Early Islamic periods (seventh century CE), on account of a previous excavation (Permit No. A-5091; M. Haiman, per. comm.). The excavation area was located northeast of the site, in a region that is characterized by farms, installations and terraces built in wadi channels.
Eight farming terraces that are currently being cultivated by Bedouins, are built in the wadi channel and one of them was excavated (length 17.7 m; Figs. 1, 2). A sloping wall (W103; length 6.3 m, width c. 1 m, height 2.1 m; Fig. 3) built of nine stone courses was exposed in the center of the terrace. North of W103, a later addition (W105; length 9 m, width 0.3 m, height 1 m; Fig. 4) of five stone courses was exposed. South of W103, a wall (W104; length 3.4 m, width 0.3 m, height 2.9 m; Fig. 5) that was built of eight stone courses was exposed; Wall 104 supports the terrace and prevents it from being undermined by the floodwaters.