One square was opened and three phases were identified (Fig. 2).
Phase 1. A foundation (L106) set in this phase was exposed in the western part of the square; it was poorly preserved. Scattered stones were found at the bottom of the fill overlying the foundation (L104) and east of it. These might have been remains of the foundation that covered the entire area in the past. The fill beneath the destroyed part (L105) was meant to level the area where the foundation was built.
Phase 2. An oven (L109), of which only the bottom was preserved, was built in this phase. The inside of the oven was discovered packed with body fragments and rims of Gaza type jars.
Phase 3. The oven was destroyed in this phase and its parts were evenly scattered across the southern half of the square (L103), probably for the purpose of leveling the area prior to constructing a wall (W101). The wall, oriented north–south and preserved a single course high, was built of fieldstones in dry construction. Its western side consisted of an alternating sequence of one large stone and two small stones. The wall was cut off at its northern end.
A hearth that was dug into the natural soil (L111) was exposed in the northeastern part of the square; it was not possible to determine its period.
The surface sloped to the southwest (see Fig. 2: Section 1-1). A pit was probably dug into the natural soil (L110) and later filled in, or this was the natural slope of the hill.
The ceramic finds, dating to the seventh century CE, are homogenous and indicative of a domestic environment. Body and rim fragments of ribbed Gaza type jars were discovered, as well as fragments of lids, fry pans with horizontal handles and a single cooking pot sherd.The fill contained tesserae of an industrial mosaic. The many fragments of Gaza jars and the large quantity of industrial tesserae indicate a possible connection to the wine industry; however, no remains of agricultural installations were found at the site, which might confirm or refute this assumption. The nearest site where remains of a winepress were found is located c. 400 m from the excavation area (HA-ESI 117). The late phase of the winepress (late seventh century CE) is consistent with the dating of the ceramic finds at the site; however, this is insufficient to prove a connection between the two sites.