During October 2010, a survey preceding development was conducted in the western part of Moshav Even Menahem, next to the Menahem pool (License No. S-215/2010; map ref. 227350/775725), prior to construction. The survey, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Ministry of Agriculture, was performed by G.B. Jaffe, with the assistance of Y. Lerer (survey) and A. Shapiro (GPS).
The Menahem pool is seasonal and located southwest of Horbat Serah ‘Illit and the remains of the Nebi Rubin village (IAA Reports 14:30, Sites 217, 220).
Several modern remains (Sites 1–5) were found in the survey.
The survey was carried out in an easily accessible area that was not covered with thick vegetation (Fig. 1). A rock-hewn cistern (Fig. 1:1) that cannot be dated was identified. It is covered with a square concrete lid with a metal cover in its center that postdates the cistern. Several fieldstone-built terrace walls (Fig. 1:2–4) were identified around the cistern. They too could not be dated and appear to be modern.
A large wide wall (Fig. 1:5; height c. 1.2 m, width c. 1 m) was documented in the northeastern corner of the area. Its northern end forms a rounded corner with another wall that continues eastward. The tops of other walls are visible near these walls and it seems that this is an agricultural complex, consisting of walls and fences.