In January-February 2012, a salvage excavation was conducted south of Moshav Nir Gallim (Permit No. A-6384; map ref. 170151-74/636472-8; Fig. 1), after ancient remains were uncovered during the installation of a water pipeline. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Mei Nitzzanim Company, was directed by A. Dagot, with the assistance of E. Bachar and Y. Amrani (administration), M. Kunin (surveying and drafting), A. Peretz (field photography), M. Shiff (preliminary inspections), E. Belashov (plan), P. Gendelman (ceramics), M. Shuiskaya (pottery drawing), N. Katsnelson (glass), C. Hersch (glass drawing) and D.T. Ariel (numismatics).