During June–August 2001 the ancient cemetery of Laqiya was exposed (Permit No. A-3392*; map ref. NIG 18800–10/58135–60; OIG 13800–10/08135–60) prior to construction and after its discovery during mechanical trenching that were conducted by F. Sonntag in 1996. The work, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority and financed by the Beduin Administration and the Ministry of Construction and Housing, was directed by F. Sonntag and N.S. Paran, with the assistance of A. Hajian and V. Essman (surveying) and Y.Y. Baumgarten (counseling).
The exposure was carried out by mechanical equipment down to the top of the tombs, with the intention of locating them, without excavation. Four clusters of tombs were discovered, each consisting of c. 60 cist tombs covered with soft chalk slabs. Some tombs were aligned east–west and others were oriented northwest–southeast. The distances between the tombs were not uniform. Several pottery fragments uncovered during the exposure date the cemetery to the Byzantine period. This is probably the cemetery of Horbat Rosh that is located to the east of the site.