In August–September 2014, a salvage excavation was conducted at ‘En Tut (Permit No. A-7207; map ref. 204303–444/723772–848; Fig. 1) prior to the installation of a gas pipeline. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Israel Natural Gas Lines Company, Ltd., was directed by M. Hater (photography), with the assistance of Y. Amrani (administration), R. Mishayev and R. Liran (surveying and drafting), K. Sa‘id and M. Masarwa (IAA Haifa district).
The excavation area was located 100 m west of the ‘En Tut Interchange, on the western slope of a hill (Trig. Point N-568 Northeast), where the settlement remains were exposed in previous excavations. Four squares (C10, C11, D3, D9; Fig. 2) were opened. A stone clearance heap (W103; width 3.5 m) aligned along a northwest–southeast axis was documented in the two northwestern squares (C10, C11). The heap was founded on bedrock and consisted of small- and medium-sized stones enclosed within a row of medium-sized fieldstones to the north and south. The grooved natural bedrock (L104, L108; Fig. 3) was exposed in the two southeastern squares (D3, D9).
The stone clearance heap and its proximity to the springs are indicative of agricultural activity that transpired in this region.