In this first season several exploratory trenches were sunk with encouraging results. There is a considerable depth of stratigraphy over the whole town, sufficient, it would seem, to preserve substantial remains, and there is evidence of considerable occupation in the medieval Islamic period, as well as some material of Greek and early Roman date. In the 1990 season, it is planned to open a much larger area and begin the systematic controlled excavation of the Islamic levels, and it is hoped that, in the coming years, the combined expertise of this Anglo-Libyan venture will bring to light the town whose importance is hinted at in the historical sources.