During July 2003, a trial excavation was conducted along the lower part of the spur where the village of Ibtin is spread out, in the southeastern Zevulun Valley, c. 1 km north of Tel Regev and c. 0.5 km south of Tel Par (Permit No. A-3960; map ref. NIG 2110-6/7414-8; OIG 1610-6/2414-8), prior to paving an access road to a cemetery. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Department of Public Works, was directed by E. Oren, with the assistance of S. Ya'aqov-Jam (administration) and Z. Horovich.