From September 2016 to February 2017, a trial excavation was conducted on the eastern and southern fringes of Tel Bet Shemesh (Permit Nos. A-7802, A-7882; map ref. 197816-8042/628481-786), prior to the widening of Highway 38 and following the discovery of antiquities in trial trenches, which were opened prior to the excavation and during its course (Fig. 1). The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Netivei Israel Company, was directed by E. Haddad (Area H3 supervision, photography) and N. Ben-Ari (Area H2 supervision, trial trenches and preparation of excavation area), with the assistance of N. Isaac (supervision of Areas G, H, I), R. Ben Chelouche (educational program), Y. Lavan (administration), M. Kahan, A. Hajian, V. Asman and Y. Shmidov (surveying), A. Peretz (photography), G. Fitoussi and Griffin Company Ltd. (aerial photography), D. Levi (GIS and mapping), S. Gendler (metal detection), H. Neugeboren and H. Salovitz (Jerusalem District educational center), Z. Turgeman-Yaffe, Y. Tzur, A. Nagar (trial trenches), A. Shadman, A. Eirikh and Y. Zelinger (Israel Antiquities Authority, Jerusalem District), B. Storchan (computerization consultant), N. Marom (archaeozoology), Y. Nagar (physical anthropology), Y. Paz (auxiliary sciences consultant), O. Ackerman (OSL), A. De Groot (Iron Age pottery consultation), I. Taxel (late periods ceramics), Y. Gadot, L. Freud, Z. Lederman L. Buzaglo, E. Kaho (conservation and revetment work, IAA Conservation Department), E. Kamaisky (pottery restoration), T. Shabi, N. Glickstein, M. Piatski (educational guidance) and Y. Sitton (supervision). Teenagers from premilitary programs and two schools participated in the excavation at various times through the IAA Jerusalem District educational center, as well as volunteers from France and Switzerland and laborers employed through a manpower company. Additional assistance was provided by R. Amasis, project manager on behalf of the Netivei Israel Company. Special thanks to the town of Bet Shemesh (Urban Improvement Division) for providing the excavation site with water.