The survey area (c. 8,000 dunams; Fig. 1) consisted of stabilized sand dunes, oriented generally east–west, with shallow valleys between them. The differences in elevation between the top of the dunes and the bottom of the valleys spanned 5–15 m. The remains of temporary encampments and animal pens were clearly visible in the area, located in shallow hollows and in the valleys, indicating intensive grazing activity in the area during different periods. Twenty-three sites were recorded in the survey: ten in the area of Shelomit, six in the area of Haluzit 4 and seven in the agricultural area. Potsherd and flint scatterings of different sizes were found at the sites, as well as the remains of hearths; no building remains were detected. The sites are described below (Tables 1–3); their numbers match those in Fig. 1.

Potsherds of black Gaza ware were also found at all the sites. The survey findings show that the area—between Haluza and Gaza and its daughter settlements—was intersected by ancient routes and that until the current survey, as in antiquity, the region was used for seasonal grazing and shepherd encampments, without any permanent settlements.