In September 2019, a salvage excavation was conducted on the eastern outskirts of Tel Shilat (for background and references, see
Tendler 2014; Permit No. A-8588; map ref 202392–445/647272–323; Fig. 1), prior to construction. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by Eli Ben Gad, was directed by V. Eshed (field photography), with the assistance of Y. Amrani and E. Bachar (administration), I. Jonish (field photography and digital documentation) and M. Kunin (measurements and drawing)
.
Remains of a limekiln (L100; diam. 4.95 m, exposure depth 3.95 m; Figs. 2–4) were covered with a stone collapse that apparently collapsed from the upper part of the kiln. For safety reasons, the stone collapse within the kiln was excavated mechanically. The kiln was hewn in bedrock, and its eastern upper part was lined with medium-sized fieldstones. A rock-cut niche (L102), possibly a stoking opening, was identified on its eastern side, beneath the stone lining. Remains of ash were discovered in the lower part of the kiln and around it. The kiln appears to have been used for a local lime industry (
Tendler 2014). No diagnostic potsherds were found in the kiln, so it cannot be dated. Several small potsherds from the Byzantine, Mamluk and British Mandate periods (not drawn) were found on the surface.