In October 2014, a trial excavation took place along the route of the security fence in the northern Golan Heights, northeast of Buq‘ata (Permit No. A-7238; map ref. 275532–68/792125–50; Fig. 1), after ancient remains were discovered during infrastructure work on the security fence. The excavation, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by the Ministry of Defense, was direct by E. Bron, with the assistance of Y. Yaakobi (administration), W. Atrash (scientific guidance), H. Tahan-Rosen (pottery drawing) and workers from the village of Buq‘ata.
The site extends along the margins of a small hill, and it seems that most of its area is in a minefield. It was first discovered during a 2014 survey along the security fence (Permit No. S-488/2014). No past excavations were conducted in the area.
Two half squares were opened (A1, A2; total area 25 sq m), c. 25 m apart, east of the minefield and west of the security fence. In Square A1 a north–south row of five fieldstones was discovered (L104; Fig. 2); it was difficult to determine whether they are remains of a wall. Few diagnostic sherds were found, including fragments of jar rims from the Chalcolithic period (Fig. 3). These meager remains may have been part of an occupation level from the Chalcolithic period. A few worn flint items from the Middle Paleolithic period were retrieved from the surface; they were apparently swept down from the hill in the minefield, to the west of the excavation.