In March 2013, a survey was conducted in the area situated between Moshav Idan and ‘En ‘Ofarim, near ‘En Hazeva in the northern ‘Arava (License No. S-402/2013; map ref. 222626–8169/523602–5546), prior to the installation of a water pipe. The survey, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Mekorot Company, was performed by O. Shmueli, with the assistance of S. Gal (GPS) and D. Bashir of the ‘Blossoming Rose, USA’ association.
The survey area extends between the agricultural areas of Moshav Idan in the east and the Mekorot drilling site at ‘En ‘Ofarim in the west (Fig. 1). The eastern part of the survey area is characterized by hills of Lisan marl, while the western part of the area is characterized by hamada landscapes; areas marked as mine fields were not surveyed. Two declared antiquity sites are located in the survey area: Hazeva (East), where an ancient stone quarry was documented; and Mesad Hazeva, where a stronghold of the First Temple period, an Edomite temple, a citadel and bathhouse of the Late Roman period were exposed (Cohen and Israel 1997).
One site (map ref. 22628/52412) that extends along the bank of Nahal Hazeva was documented in the survey. A cluster of four square installations (0.3 × 0.3 m; Fig. 2) and a round surface of small stones (diam. 0.5 m; Fig. 3) were noted at the site. The installations are situated several meters apart and are built of medium-sized stone slabs set in place on their narrow side; these stones are poorly preserved. A sparse scatter of cooking pot sherds was discerned on the surface of the site. These installations are apparently evidence of seasonal nomadic activity that took place in the region in the past.
Cohen R. and Israel Y. 1997. The Excavations at ‘En Hazeva/Biblical and Roman Tamar. Qadmoniot 112:78–93 (Hebrew).