During March, April and June 2004, a salvage excavation was conducted along the route of Highway 431, next to Moshav Yashresh (Permit No. A-4142; map ref. 18650/64725). The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Department of Public Works, was directed by O. Shmueli, with the assistance of E. Bachar (administration), T. Kornfeld and A. Hajian (surveying and drafting), T. Sagiv (field photography), Y. Bukengolts (pottery restoration), M. Shuiskaya (field and pottery drawings), and T. Kanias. Laborers for the excavation were provided by the Brick Manpower Company. Thanks to S. Gat and T. Tsuk, to Y. Porath for his assistance in dating the plaster and to P. Fabian and P. Gendelman for their aid in dating the ceramic finds.