During July 2001 a salvage excavation was conducted in the northern industrial zone of Lod (Permit No. A-3467*; map ref. NIG 19062/65233; OIG 14062/15233), in the wake of earthmoving works carried out prior to construction. The excavation, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority, was directed by D. Wineberger, assisted by V. Essman and V. Pirsky (surveying), T. Sagiv (photography) and O. Shmueli.
One excavation square was opened, revealing the remains of a rectangular building (2.1 × 2.6 m; Fig. 1) that was built of medium-sized, undressed limestone (0.2 × 0.5 m). A row of small fieldstones, placed on top of the bottom foundation course for leveling, was surmounted with a course of medium-sized stones that was preserved in the eastern part of the building. The doorway (0.45 m) was situated in the southwestern corner of the structure. As no pavement was found, it is assumed that the indigenous alluvium soil probably served as a floor. Some pottery fragments were discovered in the building, mainly worn body sherds and a few rims from the Ottoman period (a bowl, a cooking pot and two jars; Fig. 2:1–4). A similar building was excavated in a former excavation at the site (HA-ESI 116:40*).