In April 2018, a rescue excavation was conducted near Eyal Interchange (Permit No. A-8255; map ref. 196223–324/679077–291; Fig. 1). The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Israel Electric Corporation, was conducted by O. Danziger, assisted by Y. Amrani (administration), N. Gubenko (area supervision and flint identification), M. Kahan (surveying and drafting), A. Peretz (field photography), R. Toueg, and L. Brailovsky (preliminary inspections), A. ‘Azab and A. Glick.
The excavation was conducted near Kh. Ibreika, where remains dating from the Lower Paleolithic to the Ottoman periods were unearthed (
Masarwa 2009, and see references therein;
Ronen and Winter 1997).
The excavation explored four areas (A–D; Fig. 2), unearthing habitation levels from the Late Roman–Byzantine periods, four pit graves that could not be dated and scatters of flint tools from the Middle Palaeolithic period.
Area A. Two levels of river pebbles were uncovered (L101, L112; Fig. 3), yielding potsherds from the Late Roman–Byzantine periods (not drawn). Several flint artifacts from the Lower–Middle Palaeolithic periods, including a hand axe (not drawn), were found on the surface; these were apparently swept into the site.
Area B yielded four pit graves with the interred laying in a supine position in a general east–west direction, with the head in the west, the arms slightly bent and the hands resting in the pelvic area (e.g., Fig. 4).
Area C. A scatter of flint tools (not drawn) dating from the Lower Paleolithic period was uncovered.
Area D. Scatters of flint tools (not drawn) dating from the Lower Paleolithic period were uncovered along with river pebbles—possibly the remains of an ancient river—on which there were a few potsherds and worn flint cores (Fig. 5).
Ronen A. and Winter Y. 1997. Eyal 23: A Lower Paleolithic Site in the Eastern Sharon, Israel. Quartär 47–48:177–188.