Area T2 is located on the northwestern slope of Tel Hadid within an olive grove (Figure 1). It reveals evidence of human activity at the site spanning multiple periods. The upper layers represent modern and recent activity, and along the southern edge of the area lies a cemetery of al-Haditha, which influenced the accumulation of soil layers and contributed to the formation of some of the fills uncovered in the excavation. The most impressive find in the area is a massive wall system exposed in the earliest layers (Figure 2). This is a large architectural complex, built of thick interconnected walls that form a coherent and complex structure. It may represent a fortification or another significant complex, though its exact function is not yet fully understood. If the structure is indeed part of a fortification system, as currently suggested, it would have commanded a strategic view over the entire Lydda Valley.

The structure underwent phases of use, destruction, and burial, and above it thick fill layers were discovered, containing a mixture of finds from different periods – the Late Iron Age, the Persian period, and the Hellenistic period, associated by us with the massive earth works leading to the creation of the “Podium”.
The most recent excavation season focused on expanding the excavation area and removing baulks between squares, allowing for a more complete view of the structure and a better understanding of the connections between its different parts. Area T2 continues to provide important insights into the development of Tel Hadid and is expected to yield further significant discoveries in future seasons, as we work to better understand this large architectural complex and its role at the site.