During February 2006, an archaeological survey was conducted in the southern part of Qibbuz Kefar Szold, near Khirbat ‘Ein Zagha (Permit No. A-4717; map ref. NIG 26130–85/78810–60; OIG 21130–85/28810–60), prior to the construction of a tourism project. The survey, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Upper Galilee Economic Company, was conducted by H. Bron, assisted by A. Shapiro (GPS).
An area (c. 90 dunams), delineated by the built-up part of the qibbuz in the north, the qibbuz’ cemetery and Nahal Shunit in the east, a forest in the south and a dirt road that leads to the qibbuz’ fish ponds in the west, was surveyed (Fig. 1).
The tell of Khirbat ‘Ein Zagha (diam. c. 90 m; Fig. 1:1) where settlement remains from the Roman until the Ottoman periods are visible, is located in the middle of the surveyed area. Two rectangular buildings, generally oriented east–west and built of basalt fieldstones, were inspected: No. 1 (4 × 5 m; Figs. 2:1; 3), preserved two courses high, and No. 12 (5 × 10 m, preserved height c. 0.5 m; Figs. 2:12; 4). Remains of three walls were also identified: a wall in the north of the tell (length 5 m; Fig. 2:2), which is oriented east–west and built of large fieldstones and two walls, oriented northwest-southeast, in the southern part of the tell, one (length c. 4.5 m; Figs. 2:8; 5) was built of large dressed basalt stones, possibly ashlars (length 0.9 m) and the second (length 6 m; Fig. 2:9) was built of boulders. Two plastered collecting vats of a winepress, partially hewn and built (each 2.1 × 4.0 m, depth 1.3 m; Figs. 2:6; 6) and an elliptical enclosure (7 × 12 m; animal pen?; Fig. 2:7), built of a single fieldstone course, were surveyed on the southwestern part of the tell. A large quantity of roughly hewn building stones was noted throughout the entire area of the tell.
Evidence of agricultural activity, probably connected to the settlement on the tell, was found north of the tell, on a rocky exposed slope that descends gently to the west (see Fig. 1:2). It included remains of terrace walls (Fig. 2:4, 5, 14), one of which (No. 4; Fig. 7) was c. 20 m long; a wall (length 1.5 m; Fig. 2:3), aligned north–south, which survived by a single course of medium fieldstones and three stone clearance heaps (diam. 2.5–5.0 m; Fig. 2:15–17). A scattering of potsherds that dated to Early Bronze II (diam. c. 25 m; Fig. 2:13) was discerned.
A flat area that had been cleared of stones in the past and is currently used for grazing, extends south and west of the tell (see Fig. 1:3). A few archaeological finds were identified in this area, including a building corner (6 × 8 m; Fig. 2:11) whose walls, preserved two courses high (0.6 m), were built of limestone fieldstones and a heap of stones (dolmen?; 4 × 5 m; Fig. 2:10) situated alongside it. Due to the trees growing in the midst of the stone pile, it was difficult to discern the lines of walls; no potsherds were found.
A spring, surrounded by paths and enclosure walls, was discerned in the eastern and northeastern sectors of the surveyed area (see Fig. 1:4), which is delimited by the qibbuz perimeter road and located along the fringes of the built-up area; this area was devoid of any finds.