During July 2009, a survey was conducted along the northern fringes of the Tarshiha village (License No. S-128/2009; map ref. 22540–55/76740–55), prior to construction. The survey, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, was directed by Y. Lerer, with the assistance of R. Abu Raya (survey) and A. Shapiro (GPS).
The surveyed area slopes steeply from west to east. On its upper part are dolomite outcrops, bushes and shrubs. Fieldstone-built farming terraces (height 3 m) are visible on the western part of the slopes, whereas olive groves and tobacco fields are planted on the eastern part of the slopes.
A limekiln built of small and medium fieldstones (map ref. 767517/225643; diam. 4.8 m, depth 1.7 m; Fig. 1) was identified outside the boundaries of the survey and the area slated for construction. The kiln’s opening faces west and its eastern side is supported by a rampart built of earth and stones.
The kiln was devoid of any finds that could date its use; however, it is known that similar kilns were still being used at the beginning of the twentieth century CE.