During October 2003, an excavation was conducted in the Tur‘an village, in the Lower Galilee (Permit No. A-4026; map ref. NIG 233980–4025/742300–425, OIG 183980–4025/242300–425), prior to private construction. The excavation, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, was directed by A. Mokary, with the assistance of V. Essman (surveying) and H. Tahan (pottery drawing).
An area (4 × 5 m; Fig. 1) that consisted of building remains from the Mamluk and Ottoman periods was excavated down to bedrock in the built-up section of the village, east of the old mosque. A rock-hewn pit that contained fragments of pottery vessels from the seventh century CE was revealed beneath the Mamluk construction.
Early Islamic period (seventh century CE). A pit (diam. of opening 0.7 m, diam. at base 1.5 m, depth 1.7 m) that was hewn in the limestone bedrock was exposed. It contained fragments of black jars decorated with white paint and the rim of a jug whose fabric was of a light color (Fig. 2:5) that dated to the seventh century CE. Fragments of glazed bowls (Fig. 2:1–3) and a jug (Fig. 2:4) from the Mamluk period (fourteenth century CE) were also found.
Mamluk period. Wall remains of a building (W14, W16) were found above bedrock. They were built of dressed limestone, formed a corner and a crushed chalk floor abutted them. A plastered water channel was installed into the floor. Potsherds dating to the Mamluk period (fourteenth century CE) were found above the floor and included bowl fragments (Fig. 2:6–10), a jar (Fig. 2:11) and a cooking pot (Fig. 2:12).
Ottoman period. The remains of a wall (W12), abutted by a crushed chalk floor, were exposed (Fig. 3). The wall’s foundations were set on bedrock and damaged the Mamluk remains.