During November 2001 a trial excavation was conducted along the eastern fringes of Tell Jatt (Tel Gat Carmel; Permit No. A- 3541*; map ref. NIG 20453–7/70024–9; OIG 15453–7/20024–9), after probe trenches exposed ancient remains. The excavation, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority and funded by A. Gasār, was directed by K. Sa‘id, assisted by V. Essman (surveying and drafting), M. Argov-Rappaport (pottery drawing) and M. Avissar (pottery reading).
Two squares, c. 8 m apart, were opened on a rocky slope in an area where numerous excavations had previously been conducted (Fig. 1; ‘Atiqot 39:49–82). Two walls (W201, W202) that formed a corner were discovered in the eastern square (A; 2.5 × 5.0 m). The walls, preserved a single course high, were built of medium-sized fieldstones (0.4 × 0.4 × 0.5 m) and were founded on bedrock. The pottery fragments recovered from the fill near the walls indicate that they were used in the Mamluk period (Fig. 2:1, 2). A wall (W200; exposed length 3.5 m) in the western square (B; 3 × 5 m) was oriented north–south and extended beyond the limits of the excavation area. The wall, built of ashlars and preserved a single course high, was founded on bedrock. South of the wall was a stone quarry, in which two bedrock ledges (L104, L108) were discerned. Jar fragments (Fig. 2: 3) dating to the Byzantine period were retrieved from the fill near the wall and within the quarry.