In May 2018, a trial excavation was conducted on Zvi Herman Segal Street in Yafo (Permit No. A-8277; map ref 178097–102/661688–93; Fig. 1). The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by EK Real Estate Ltd., was directed by R. Moshe, with the assistance of Y. Amrani and E. Bachar (administration), E. Aladjem (surveying and drafting), Y. Arbel, L. Rauchberger, D. Abu Salah and D. Barkan (consultation), D. Golan and V. Shustin (preliminary inspections) and A. Dagot (GPS).
The excavation unearthed collapsed kurkar stones (W102; Figs. 2, 3) that covered two parallel walls (W105, W106). Marseilles roof tiles dating from the late Ottoman period were found among the collapsed stones (Fig. 4). Part of a gray plaster floor (L108; Fig. 5) was uncovered beneath the collapse. A disintegrating sheet of copper was identified between the stones and the floor; the plaster surrounding it was green, perhaps as a result of the copper oxidation. To the east, the floor abutted the foundation of a wall (W101) built of kurkar stones. To the west of these remains were the remains of a water pool (not excavated): the eastern wall (width c. 1 m; not marked in plan), built of kurkar stones and plastered on its inner face.
The remains of the building, which was only partially excavated, probably belong to one of the citrus groves that stood here in the late Ottoman period (
Sasson 2009). This structure was either contemporary with the
sabil or of a somewhat later date.
Ajami M. 2006. Yafo (Jaffa), Qibbu
z Galuyot Street.
HA-ESI 116.
Sasson A. 2009. Biara and Orchid Houses in Jaffa and Its Environs. In S. Rotbard and M. Zur. eds. Neither in Jaffa nor in Tel Aviv: Stories, Testimonies and Documents from the Shapira Neighborhood. Tel Aviv. Pp. 59–69 (Hebrew).