In October 2012, a salvage excavation was conducted in the northern part of the Makabim (Maccabim) military base, north of Highway 443 (Permit No. A-6629; map ref. 203241–410/645363–433; Fig. 1), prior to construction. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Ministry of Defense, was directed by Y. Elisha, with the assistance of Y. Amrani (administration), A. Peretz (field photography), R. Mishayev and M. Kahan (surveying and drafting).
Two squares (F1, F4; Figs. 2, 3) were opened, exposing two sections of a farming terrace retaining wall (W12; Figs. 3, 4), aligned east–west. The terrace was dated to the Hellenistic period based on the potsherds (not drawn). A rectangular rock-cutting (F3; Figs. 2, 5, 6) and an elliptical bodeda (F2; Figs. 2, 5, 6), probably used for pressing olives in the field, were excavated west of the farming terrace. Neither the rock-cutting nor the bodeda could be dated. A burial cave including an entrance and a courtyard (F5; Figs. 2, 8–10) was documented in the western part of the site. The cave was not excavated, but loculi were discerned inside it. West of the excavation area was a winepress, which was outside the region slated for development.
The agricultural installations and the winepress indicate the area was used for farming in the Hellenistic period.
Masarwa M. and Barda L. Makabim, Development Survey.
HA-ESI 119.
Shavit A. 1993. Kefar Ruth (South). ESI 12:113.