In January 2017, a small excavation was undertaken in the vicinity of the ancient synagogue at Merot (Permit No. A-7878; map ref. 77079/24992; Fig. 1). The excavation was carried out as part of the 'adopt a site' and 'Nature Defence Force' programs at a nearby IDF base. The excavation, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, was directed by U. Berger, with the assistance of J. Peterson (administration), A. Shapiro (GPS), Y. Alef (photography), S. Magal (aerial photography), G. Bichovsky (numismatics) and H. Tahan-Rosen (artifact drawing), as well as a team of instructors from the nearby base.