the caves at the site. Byzantine basilica and nearby structures In 1983 and 1986 Joseph Patrich and Yoram Tsafrir excavated a basilica church at the site, as well as an olive press, a wine press and a burial cave nearby, on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The church is thought to have been built around the year 500 CE, and to have functioned well into the 8th century. The church complex was thought to be on the outskirts of a village. The mosaic floors of the church were defaced, reflecting iconoclastic activity, but were then repaired. 2005 excavations The excavations at the site were renewed in 2005 under the direction of the Oren Gutfeld, on behalf of the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, with funding from a Mormon non-profit foundation. References Further reading (p. 274) (p. 365) Suder, Robert W.: Hebrew inscriptions: a classified bibliography External links Survey of Western Palestine, Map 20: IAA, Wikimedia commons (named Beit Leyi; N of Al-Dawayima) Ancient Israel and Judah Archaeological sites in Israel Buildings and structures in Southern District (Israel)