 Two Hellenistic and one Israelite stratum were identified by them on the mound.Between 1989–2000, large-scale excavations were held by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) under the direction of Prof. Amos Kloner and conducted mainly in the Lower City of Maresha, concentrating both on the surface and on the subterranean complexes.Excavations continued in several subterranean complexes between 2001 and 2008.