Remains of three rectangular buildings aligned north–south (1–3) and courtyards with installations were exposed. The structures’ walls were built of chalk blocks and their floors were made of tamped earth. Interior partitions in Building 1 (5 × 12 m, W123, W126; Fig. 3) delimited a small room. Walls (W120 and W176) in Building 1 were constructed on soil that had accumulated above the original floor, showing that these belong to a later phase of the structure. A courtyard with a bell-shaped storage pit (L170; depth c. 2 m; Fig. 4) was exposed adjacent to the northern side of Building 1. Apparently, at some point the pit was filled with earth and ceased to be used after which two tabuns were constructed (Fig. 5). Building 2 (c. 9 × 12 m) was erected very close to the western side of Building 1; in its northeastern corner was a tabun. A pit (L115) dug in the building at a later date destroyed the central part of the structure; the pit contained finds from the Early Islamic period that date when the damage occurred. Building 3 (c. 7 × 10 m) was constructed north of Building 1.
The excavation revealed a homogenous ceramic assemblage dating to the Abbasid period; no construction phases could be identified. The assemblage included decorated vessels, cups, kraters, cooking pots, jugs (Fig. 6), flasks and lamps, including Khirbat Mafjar ware (Figs. 7, 8). Other objects uncovered at the site include three stone game boards (Fig. 9), stone objects, glass and metal items.
The architectural remains at the site reveal a rural settlement dating to the Abbasid period. The small finds indicate that the residents were well-to-do and maintained close ties with Ramla, the urban center at that time. The pottery assemblage discovered in the excavation is relatively small compared with assemblages from other contemporary settlement sites. It does not include store jars, which are a common find at other settlement sites. Thus, it seems that the settlement at Nahal Shoval was abandoned in an orderly and planned manner.