During December 2005 a salvage excavation was conducted on the eastern side of Tirat Karmel, at the outlet of Nahal Gallim (Permit No. A-4645*; map ref. NIG 19790–800/74062–70; OIG 14790–800/24062–70), in an area where a public library is to be constructed. The excavation, carried out on behalf of the Antiquities Authority and funded by the municipality, was directed by A.S. Sa‘id, with the assistance of S. Ya‘aqov-Jam (administration) and A. Shadman.
Four squares were opened in the middle of the area where probes had previously been dug. At a depth of 0.4 m below surface, three foundation courses of a rectangular building (6.5 × 7.5 m; Fig. 1) that were founded on top of stream alluvium and pebbles (Fig. 2) were exposed. In the northeastern and southeastern corners of the building two sections of stone pavements (1.35 × 1.40 m) that were probably used as a base for pillars of an arch or vault were exposed. Abutting the southern wall (W2) of the building was an additional wall (W3) that did not appear to constitute part of a clear plan. No partition walls were found inside the building and modern sewage pits built of concrete were discovered outside its southwestern and southeastern corners.
The finds recovered from inside (L110) and outside the building (L109) included a few fragments of Roman, Crusader and Ottoman-period pottery that were not found in a clear context. The excavation was suspended after it was determined that the structure dated to the 1940s and was built of ancient stones in secondary use.