During March 2009, a salvage excavation was conducted within the precincts of the Haggit power station (Permit No. A-5620; map ref. 20390–2/724595–620; Map of Dalia [31]), prior to construction and development. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Israel Electric Company, was directed by A. Masarwa (photography), with the assistance of S. Ya‘aqov-Jam and E. Bachar (administration), R. Mishayev and Y. Nemichnitzer (surveying and drafting), M. Shuiskaya (pottery drawing) and M. Peilstöcker (archaeological mentor).
The site (c. 5 dunams), c. 1 km north of the Zikhron Ya‘aqov–Yoqne‘am Road (70), is located on a soft limestone hill between Nahal Tut and Nahal Haggit; four springs flow at its foot: ‘En Zafzafa, ‘En Haggit, ‘En Qetina and ‘En Tut.
Previous archaeological excavations had been carried out next to the current excavation area (ESI 16:59–63; Permit No. A-5105).
Two squares (F1, F4; 50 sq m; Fig. 1) were opened on the hill close to the northwestern corner of the Roman village that had been uncovered in the past (ESI 16:61–63).
A wall (W10; Fig. 2) built of dry construction, utilizing soft indigenous limestone (exposed length 2.4 m, width 0.35 m, preserved height 0.4 m), was exposed in Square F1. The wall, which was parallel to the Roman village’s northwestern enclosure wall and 0.5 m northwest of it, was founded on bedrock and extended beyond the excavation area. No floor remains that abutted the wall were found and its purpose is unclear.
Square F4 was opened 5.5 m northeast of Square F1. Remains of a floor (L601; Fig. 3), composed of small stones tamped in soil, were exposed. Part of the floor was bedrock that had been leveled. The floor did not abut any remains of walls and in all likelihood, it was part of an architectural complex located beyond the limits of the excavation.
The ceramic finds included bowls (Fig. 4:1, 2), cooking pots (Fig. 4:3–5) and jars (Fig. 4:6, 7) from the Roman period (first century BCE–first century CE).