Ḥorbat Ma’aravim (A)

In April – May 2021, a salvage excavation was conducted at H orbat Ma’aravim, to the west of Rahat and north of Na h al Gerar (Permit No. A-9001; map ref. 173911/588638; Fig. 1), after architectural remains were discovered in probe trenches dug in preparation for the widening of Road 264. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by the Netivei Israel Company, was directed by S. Bloch-Lifshitz, with the assistance of Y. Alamor (administration), E. Aladjem (surveying and drafting), A. Azoulay (plans), A. Freiberg (digital documentation) and A. Golani (scientific consultation), as well as S. Talis and P. Kobrin (Be’er Sheva‘ district archaeologists).