In February 2006 a salvage excavation was conducted in the Lev Savionim neighborhood of Petah Tiqwa, (Permit No. A-4713*; map ref. NIG 188834–89/667409–67; OIG 138834–89/167409–67), in an area slated for the construction of a park. The excavation, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and with the financial backing of the Africa-Israel Company and Dankner Investments Ltd, was directed by A. ‘Azab, with the participation of E. Bachar and S. Ya‘aqov-Jam (administration), A. Hajian (surveying) and M. Peilstöker and A. Re’em (Central District).
Stratum I
In Square E1 (Fig. 1) remains of a round collecting vat (L108; diam. 1.2 m, depth 0.4 m) were exposed that was most likely part of a winepress. Its walls were built of small fieldstones that were plastered, and the bottom of the vat was paved with a mosaic of white tesserae (2 × 2 cm) that were set in a bedding of small fieldstones and bonding material (Fig. 2). A plastered channel was connected to the vat from the east; the former was visible in the section but is not depicted on the plan. Fragments of ribbed jars from the Byzantine period were found in the collecting vat.
Stratum II
In Squares A1, C1, C2 and E1 (Loci 104, 103, 105, 102; Figs. 1, 3, 4) collapse was exposed that consisted of different size fieldstones and partly dressed ashlars. It was mixed with black soil fill that included potsherds that date to the Mamluk period.
It seems that the collecting vat was part of a winepress which is similar to Byzantine period winepresses that were previously excavated nearby, and the collapse belonged to destroyed buildings from the Mamluk period.