During May 2011, a survey was conducted in the vicinity of Nahal Sekher in Ramat Hovav (License No. S-261/2011; map ref. 17670–740/55954–6100), prior to the construction of oxygenation ponds. The survey, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, was performed by F. Sonntag (field photography) and E. Aladjem.
The survey region is characterized by gentle hills and shallow wadi channels covered with clay alluvium and sand. The survey area (Fig. 1) is delimited in the east by the Nahal Sekher wadi channel and in the west by oxygenation ponds. The survey’s boundaries in the north and south were defined in accordance with the area of the planned ponds. Five sites (1–5) were documented.
1. Central map ref. 177050/560386. A scattering of flint tools from the Epipalaeolithic period in an area of c. 50×50 m.
2. Central map ref. 176993/560306. Architectural remains, including several walls built of qirton (Fig. 2), in an area of c. 20×20 m; scattering of potsherds dating to the Iron Age and the Ottoman period.
3. Central map ref. 176998/560205. A scattering of flint tools from the Epipalaeolithic period and potsherds from the Iron Age in an area of c. 60×60 m.
4. Central map ref. 177071/559781. A scattering of flint tools from the Epipalaeolithic period and potsherds from the Iron Age in an area of c. 60×60 m.
5. Central map ref. 176974/560795. A corner formed by two walls of a farmhouse that is dated to the Byzantine period.
Sites 1 and 2 were excavated as a result of the survey (Permit No. A-6235).