שעלבים (מערב)

In January 2006, a trial excavation was undertaken along Highway 1, between the 'Anava and Latrun Interchanges, south of Kibbutz Sha'alvim (Permit No. A-4666; map refs. 195777-96/642812-33 [Area A], 197942-53/641379-94 [Area B]; Fig. 1), following the discovery of archaeological remains in the course of development work on the railway track. The excavation, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and underwritten by the Israel Railways Company, was directed on by Y. Rapuano (field photography), with the assistance of I. Kornfeld (archaeological inspection), Y. Ohayon and S. Ya'aqov-Jam (administration), V. Pirsky (surveying and drafting), L. Yihiye (GPS), L. Kupershmidt (metal conservation), C. Hersch (pottery drawing) and R. Kool (numismatics).