In February–May 2019, a study excavation was conducted at Huqoq (Permit No. A-8475; map ref. 245271–417/754474–723). The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, was directed by A. Chocron, with the assistance of A. Lavan (administration), A. Baron, R. Assis, T. Badihi and E. Bisharat (area supervision), A. Kleiner (photogrammetry), U. ‘Ad (scientific consultation), K. Covello-Paran and R. Be’eri (scientific oversight) and E. Armon (youth guidance).
The excavation took place in three areas (A, B, E; Fig. 1) to the east of a fifth-century CE synagogue (Magness et al. 2020). Previous excavations at the site uncovered remains from the Early Bronze Age IB and the Byzantine period (Y. Tsur, pers. comm.; Fig. 1: A-7941) as well as a refuge cave (Shivtiel 2012; Zingboym and Badichi 2022; Fig. 1: A-8606).
Area A (Figs. 2, 3). An accumulation of surface soil (L351, L352) contained the top of a wall (not excavated) and a large stone, maybe a column drum (L350).
Area B (Figs. 4, 5). The excavation focused on re-exposing previously uncovered remains (Permit No. A-8176) and attempting to identify any continuation of the buildings; no further architectural remains were found.
Area E (Figs. 6, 7). Part of an ancient regional road (L451, L452) that ran through the settlement, connecting it with a spring at the foot of a hill. The road was covered with stone rubble (L450). A soil accumulation covering the road yielded abraded potsherds dating from the Byzantine to the Ottoman periods.