During April–May 2003 a trial excavation was conducted at Horbat Tohelet in Kefar Habad (Permit No. A-3874*; map ref. NIG 1855–60/65563–600; OIG 1355–60/15563–600). The excavation, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority and funded by Kefar Habad, was directed by T. Kanias, with the assistance of A. Bachar (administration), A. Hajian (surveying), T. Sagiv (photography) and M. Shuiskaya-Arnov (drawing).
The ruin is located northwest of Kefar Habad, in a region of hamra soil mixed with modern refuse. Two excavation areas were opened, c. 500 m apart.
Area A
Square C3. A section of a wall (W1; Fig. 1), built of large fieldstones, was exposed. The eastern side of the wall was abutted by a layer of tamped earth (L104), mixed with small stones and potsherds, including a bowl (Fig. 3:1) and jars (Fig. 3:6, 7), dating to the Byzantine period.
Square A1. A wall stump (W2) was exposed inside a foundation trench (L101; width 0.9 m, depth 1.3 m) that overlaid several layers of fill (Fig. 2):
I. A layer of plaster mixed with small stones and potsherds, such as a krater (Fig. 3:2), from the Byzantine period (L103).
II. A layer of Byzantine potsherds, mostly body fragments (L108) of jars (Fig. 3:3, 4).
III. A layer of wet alluvium mixed with Byzantine potsherds (L114), including a jar (Fig. 3:5).
The foundation trench severed mud-brick material whose nature was unclear (L107).
Area B
Square D3. A settling pit, dating to the time of the British Mandate, was exposed.