Deir Rafat (East)

In February–March and July 2009 and in March 2011, two salvage excavations were conducted east of Deir Rafat monastery, against the western fence of the Retorno institution (Giv‘at Shemesh; Permit Nos. A-5598, A-6148; map ref. 195402–22/631441–78; Fig. 1), following heavy damage to antiquities. The excavations, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, were directed by P. Betzer, with the assistance of M. Kipnis (surveying, 2009), A. Hajian (surveying, 2011), D. Levi (GPS), Y. Ohayon (administration, 2009), N. Nehama (administration, 2011), C. Hersch (finds drawing), C. Amit (studio photography), Y. Bukengolz (pottery restoration) and H. Rosenstein (metals laboratory).