In January 2014, a trial excavation was conducted on the southeastern slopes of Tel Malot (Permit No. A-7022; map ref. 187450–60/640400–430; Fig. 1), prior to development work. The excavation, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, was directed by P. Spivak, with the assistance of Y. Amrani (administration), A. Peretz (photography), A. Dagot (GPS), A. Hajian and M. Kunin (surveying and field sketches), N. Zak (drafting), A. Buchennino (pottery reading), M. Shuiskaya (pottery drawing) and D. Shahar (antiquities inspection).
The current excavation (25 sq m; Fog. 2) exposed two parallel fieldstone walls (W105, W107), built in an east–west direction, c. 3 m apart. The walls were found buried inside a thick layer (c. 1 m) of collapsed fieldstones of various sizes, indicative of a nearby massive structure. The ceramic finds, dating to the Byzantine and Early Islamic periods, included fragments of a deep krater (Fig. 3:1), cooking pots and lids (Fig. 3:2), bag-shaped jars (Fig. 3:3), Gaza jars (Fig. 3:4), a saqiye vessel (Fig. 3:5) and a flask (Fig. 3:6).
Parnos G., Milevski I. and Khalaily H. 2010. Remains from the Late Prehistoric to Early Islamic Periods at the Foot of Tel Malo
t (East).
‘Atiqot 64:25–77.
Shmueli O. 2011. Iron Age Tombs North of Tel Malot. ‘Atiqot 65: 41–46 (Hebrew; English summary, p. 65*).