During June 2005, a survey was conducted in the Gilat Forest (Permit No. A-4517; map ref. 163999–7000/587000–8500), prior to planting trees. The survey, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Jewish National Fund, was carried out by P. Nahshoni.
The survey area (c. 250 dunams; Fig. 1) extends along Nahal Tidhar and its tributaries, south of Nahal Gerar, in the region of Moshav Brosh and Moshav Te’ashur. A site (110×200 m; map ref. 16549/58836), which contained scatterings of fieldstones, grinding stones, potsherds and flint artifacts from the Chalcolithic period, was documented in the survey. The site is located on the bank of a small tributary of Nahal Tidhar, south of Nahal Gerar. It is part of a cluster of sites from the Chalcolithic period (I. Gilead 1995. Gerar. A Chalcolithic Site in the Northern Negev [Beer Sheva 7]. Be’er Sheva‘), which is located along the banks of Nahal Gerar and includes two sites to the west (map ref. 1635–45/5880–7; 1647–50/5885–7) and one site to the north (map ref. 1655–63/5890–1).