During November–December 2000 a development survey and trial trenches were conducted in a fire zone east of Qibbuz Regavim and north of Kafr Qari‘ (License No. G-126/00*; map ref. NIG 203–7/714–6; OIG 153–7/214–6), prior to the construction of a new military camp. The survey, on behalf of the Antiquities Authority, was carried out by H. Tsion-Cinamon and Y. Lehrer, using GIS and GPS systems, as well as mechanical equipment for probe trenches.
The surveyed area is located within the Regavim Map (No. 49), which had previously been surveyed by Y. Ne’eman (1974, Archaeological Survey of the Menashe Region, II. In: Ezor Menashe 6:1–45 [Hebrew]) and Y. Gadot and Y. Tepper (forthcoming). The survey was conducted along the hills flanking Nahal Hotmit and in the wadi channel, in accordance with the construction plans for the military camp. This region is characterized by exposed bedrock that is covered with vegetation.
Two buildings, rock cuttings and three stone clearance heaps were surveyed along the sides of the road that traversed the survey area, leading from the modern Regavim–Giv‘at Nili road to Kafr Qari‘. These could be the remains of the Arab village Kanir that was abandoned in 1948. Parallel to the road were the remains of another road, which was paved with flat fieldstones and was probably used during the Ottoman period and the British Mandate times.
Over 50 stone clearance heaps of fieldstones and unworked flint, as well as agricultural terraces, were discovered throughout the entire survey area. One main site was surveyed––Horbat Bareqat (c. 120 × 190 m); no building remains were discerned and pottery fragments dating to the Persian and Roman periods and the Middle Ages were collected. North of Horbat Bareqat several dozen stone clearance heaps were surveyed. Some 500 m northwest of Horbat Bareqat was a square compound with a tower and two fieldstone-built walls near it. The gathered pottery fragments were quite worn and could not be dated. No archaeological finds were revealed in the probe trenches conducted in the surveyed area.
Three underground complexes on both banks of Nahal Hotmit, which may have been caves, were found. An agricultural terrace wall (length c. 180 m) oriented north–south was surveyed on the northern spur of the wadibed. Three smaller terraces were recorded nearby.