During June 2003 a prehistoric survey was conducted next to Qibbuz Palmahim (Permit No. A-3932; map ref. NIG 1720–38/6492–500; OIG 1220–38/1492–500), in an area slated for the construction of a desalinization facility. The survey, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority and financed by the Tahal Company, was directed by H. Khalaily, M. Ajami and L. Barda (GPS).
An area (2 sq km), c. 150 m east of the beach and c. 25 m south of Nahal Soreq was surveyed.
The area slated for construction and parts of the kurkar ridge that parallels the coastline are today covered with vegetation and sand dunes from the Holocene epoch, which spread across the coastal strip after the Early Bronze Age. These two elements make it difficult to discover sites in general and prehistoric sites in particular. The survey focused on depressions and spots where the ancient surface levels were exposed. Several flint implements were discovered in the course of the survey, scattered on the surface of the dunes, which may indicate that the sand dunes probably cover prehistoric sites.
Two strips, where pipes that connect the installation to the shore will be laid, were also surveyed. These cross the kurkar hill west of the installation and pass through the middle of a unique and rich prehistoric site by the name of ‘Giv‘at Ha-‘Esev’ (Fig. 1). A high concentration of flint implements occurs at the site, outstanding among them are geometric microliths characteristic of the Geometric Kebaran culture of the Epipalaeolithic period, dating to 14,000 years BP.