During November 2002 a survey was conducted in an area scheduled for development as a new campus for Tel Hay College (Permit No. A-3786*; map ref. NIG 2542–7/7926–32; OIG 2042–7/2926–32). The survey, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority, was directed by E. Braun, assisted by N. Getzov (GPS fieldwork) and L. Barda (GPS map).
The surveyed area occupies a portion of a wide, elongated ridge that forms the northwest edge of the Hula Valley and the southeast edge of the ‘Ayun Valley, just north of Qiryat Shemona (Fig. 1). It is bordered on the north by the Tel Hay Industrial park and on its northeast, by a school complex. An access road defines the east, south and west sides of this area, which had been subjected to modern development that greatly disturbed archaeological deposits there.
Two sites, previously surveyed by I. Shaked, are known within the present survey area. This survey added information in areas adjacent to these sites, includiing a number of additional archaeological features, such as stone heaps, alignments of stones and what appears to have been an animal pen.
Ras el-Biyad/Tel Barom North (Metulla Map, Site No. 20-29/42/4) is a concentration of rock-cut features, caves, wine- or olive presses, ashlar-stone quarries and cup marks in several limestone outcrops that occur in this predominantly basaltic area. Although no artifacts could be definitively associated with these elements, their overall aspect and some potsherds with ribbing, characteristic of pottery from Hellenistic and later times, suggest utilization in these periods.
Ras el-Biyad (Metulla Map, Site No. 20-29/42/3) is a late prehistoric site at the northernmost part of the surveyed ridge. A concentration of potsherds and flints on surface suggest it was occupied or utilized during the Late Neolithic/Early Chalcolithic periods and in the Early Bronze Age.