In May 2014, a trial excavation was conducted on the eastern slope of Mount Tabor, west of Highway 65 and next to the eastern entrance to Shibli (Permit No. A-7116; map ref. 23868/73164), prior to the installation of a gas pipeline. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Israel Natural Gas Lines Company Ltd., was directed by Y. Tepper, with the assistance of Y. Lavan (administration).
The excavation (6 × 16 m) was situated in farmland, near a flowing spring and was conducted by means of a backhoe which reached a depth of c. 1.5 m. The excavation ended after two days of checking, in which no ancient finds were discovered.