Area A. Limestone, sandstone and flint nodules were discovered on the surface at the top of a low hill. Three squares without balks (L101–L103; 4 × 4 m; depth 0.05 m) were opened and eighty-four flint items (Table 1) were mainly found on the surface and in pockets between the conglomerate bedrock. Flint nodules found on the surface served as the raw material for the assemblage.
 
Table 1. Area A, Flint Items
Basket
Locus
PE
Chunks
Blades
Flakes
Chips
Cores
Tools
Total
2001
101
12
1
1
6
 
1
1
22
2003
103
2
 
 
5
 
4
2
13
2002
102
9
 
 
4
4
3
6
26
2004
101
1
4
 
 
 
 
4
9
2006
103
 
1
 
1
 
2
 
4
2005
102
4
 
 
6
 
 
 
10
Total
 
28
6
1
22
4
10
13
84
 
The most common items are flakes and primary flakes. The flint industry is characterized by a high percentage of primary elements (PE) and ad hoc tools that were made on the primary flakes. The most common tools are notches and scrapers (Table 2; Fig. 2:2, 3).
 
Table 2. Area A, flint tools
Basket
Locus
Scraper
Depression
Levalois point
Awl
Multifunctional tool
2003
103
1
1
 
 
 
2002
102
3
1
1
 
 
2004
101
2
 
 
1
1
 
An unusual tool in the assemblage is a compound item that consists of a denticulate on the lateral side and a scraper with an abrupt retouch on the proximal side (Fig. 2:4); the tool is made of a thick primary flake. A Levallois point with white patina (Fig. 2:1) was also found; since this is the only item representing the Mousterian period, in all likelihood, it was washed or rolled onto the site. The assemblage contains six cores with one striking platform and two cores with multi-directional striking platforms (Fig. 2:5, 6). This is probably a small knapping site meant to take advantage of the flint nodules that broke and rolled off the exposed conglomerate bedrock.
 
Area B. A farming terrace (W10; length c. 25 m of which 7 m were excavated, width 0.6 m, height 0.4–0.5 m; Fig. 3), aligned east–west and preserved a single course high, was exposed on level ground, in a broad channel of a stream that is one of the tributaries of Nahal Mamshit. The terrace was built of large indigenous fieldstones (0.5–0.6 m) arranged in two parallel rows with medium-sized stones (0.1–0.3 m) between them. An accumulation of numerous wadi pebbles on the northern side of the terrace indicates that the water in the channel flowed from north to south. Four other farming terraces were located inside the channel, next to Area B (for a distance of 30–50 m), and were built similar to the excavated terrace. No ancient artifacts that can be dated were found. The terraces are remains of an agricultural complex in the region. If they are contemporary with the watchman’s hut that was found nearby, they can be dated to the Early Islamic period.
 
Area C. A section of a paved road dating to the British Mandate era was revealed (L104; excavated for a distance of 10 m, width 4.3 m; Fig. 4). It was built of one layer of randomly arranged medium-sized fieldstones (0.1–0.2 m) and had large curbstones (0.4–0.6 m) set in place along both sides of the road. The stones on the southern side were larger, possibly because of a slight gradient of the surface to the south. Part of the road was covered with gravel. The road apparently led from the British police station located at Mamshit to Ma‘ale ‘Aqrabbim.
 
The excavation was conducted in a desert region; hence the paucity of sites. The low hills with the outcrops of conglomerate bedrock were a source of raw material used by the nomads that passed through the region. The farming terraces are indicative of agricultural activity; however, no township or farm was found in the immediate vicinity.