In October – November 2020, a trial excavation was conducted on the southern edge of Tel Ashdod (Permit No. A-8866; map ref. 167651/629019) after probe trenches were dug prior to the construction of a road from Ni zz an to Emunim Junction. 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. Karasik (digital documentation), D. Gazit (studio photography), J. Bukengolts (pottery restoration), D. Varga and I. Taxel (pottery), Y. Gorin-Rosen (glass), Y. Nagar (physical anthropology), A. Naor (metallurgical laboratory), L. Sandberg (numismatics), A. Peretz (ammunition) and A. Golani (scientific guidance), as well as V. Lifshitz and N.-S. Paran (IAA Ashqelon district archaeologists).
Shira Bloch-Lifshitz (Thu,) studied this question.