During May-June 2005, a salvage excavation was conducted along the western slope of Tamra village in Ramat Issachar (Permit No. A-4492; map ref. 23820/72660), prior to construction. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the contractor, was directed by Y. Tepper, with the assistance of Y. Lavan (administration), V. Essman and V. Pirsky (surveying), A. Shapiro (GPS), H. Smithline (field photography), D. Syon (metal detection) and E.J. Stern (pottery reading).