In May 2019, a salvage excavation was conducted in the neighborhood of Umm Tuba in Jerusalem (Permit No. A-8513; map ref. 221655/626275; Fig. 1), prior to construction. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by ‘Awisat Malak, was directed by N. Rom, with the assistance of M. Samhouri (inspection), O. Rose (surveying and drafting) and S. Halevi (field photography).
The excavation unearthed a quarry covered by modern debris (Figs. 2, 3); it extends beyond the excavation area. Quarrying marks left from the detachment of stones were identified on the bedrock, and the bedrock in the eastern part of the quarry was covered by a layer of quarry debris (Fig. 4). No ancient remains were found in the fill that covered the quarry, and therefore it cannot be dated. Archaeological excavations were conducted in the vicinity of the quarry in the past (for background and references, see
Billing 2018).