During June 2010, a survey preceding development was conducted in and around Horbat Ma‘aglan (License No. S-204/2010; map ref. 184740/609494; Fig. 1), prior to planting trees. The survey, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Jewish National Fund, was directed by E. Aladjem (GPS).
Horbat Ma‘aglan, on a hilltop located alongside another hill, is c. 200 m south of Lakhish Junction and c. 1 km northwest of Tel Lakhish. Fifteen sites (1–15) were identified in the survey, including caves, a winepress, architectural remains, farming terraces, a quarry and cupmarks, all probably dating to the Ottoman period. A previous archaeological survey was performed in the vicinity and remains of buildings, fences, cisterns and potsherds from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods were identified (Dagan 1992: Site 13). The hillsides were covered with low vegetation and undergrowth (height c. 0.5 m); there might be ancient remains hidden beneath the vegetation, which were not discovered in the survey.
Caves (1, 2, 15). Cave 1 (map ref. 184391/609665) is a cave dwelling consisting of two spaces separated by a wall built of fieldstones. Caves 2 and 15 (map ref. 184573/609672, 184677/609242 respectively) are natural and no ancient remains were found in them.
Winepress (3; map ref. 184567/609697). The installation is rock-hewn and consists of a round treading floor and a collecting vat.
Architectural Remains (4, 5, 11–14). Building 4 (5× 5 m; map ref. 184420/609619) is square and built of fieldstones; it might have been a watchman’s hut. Building 5 (map ref. 184245/609541) consists of six rooms. Its walls are built of fieldstones and a cave dwelling was discerned below it. Buildings 11 and 14 are square (each 6×6 m; map ref. 184743/609474, 184590/609184 respectively) and were found filled with small stones; their walls are built of fieldstones. These might have been field towers that were destroyed and covered over with stone clearance heaps. Building 12 is massive (30×30 m; map ref. 184809/609397). Its walls are thick (1.0–1.5 m) and it is divided into several spaces. Building 13 (map ref. 184861/609438) is situated on a hilltop and has massive walls (thickness 1.5 m).
Farming Terraces (6, 7; map refs. 184381/609833, 184380/609799 respectively). Two massive farming terraces, each one has a retaining wall (length 20 m, width 1 m, height 2 m) built of large fieldstones (0.6–1.0 m).
Quarry (8; 6×6 m; map ref. 184364/609836). Its sides are perpendicular and signs of rock-cutting and the detachment of building stones are evident.
Cupmarks (9, 10; map refs. 184303/609844, 184740/609494 respectively). Two rock-hewn cupmarks; one is semicircular (diam. 0.3 m, depth 0.1 m) and the other is circular (diam. 0.4 m, depth 0.3 m).
Dagan Y. 1992. Map of Lachish [98] (Archaeological Survey of Israel). Jerusalem.