In October 2007, a trial excavation was conducted in the Ras el-‘Amud neighborhood of Jerusalem (Permit No. A-5258; map ref. 221970/629825), prior to construction. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the developer, Mr. F. Muhammad, was directed by I. Zilberbod, with the assistance of Y. Ohayon (administration), M. Kunin and T. Kornfeld (surveying and drafting), T. Sagiv (photography), C. Hersch (pottery drawing), E. Belashov (plans) and R. Kool (numismatics).
Three excavation areas (A–C, Fig. 1) were opened on a moderate slope of a hill in a residential area. In Area A only a few fragments of bowls and jars from the Late Roman period were found. A natural cave and meager architectural remains were discovered in Area B, and remains of a Byzantine period building were exposed in Area C.