During the first season of work of the Tell el-Retaba Archaeological Mission diagnostic sherds were collected from the surface of the site on both sides of the modern asphalt road cutting across the site. The coordinates of all the sherds were mapped. A quick assessment of the dating of the pottery assemblage places it in the late New Kingdom and Third Intermediate Period/Late Period, confirming earlier findings. Some parts of the site seem to differ, however, like the northern part which has more sherds of Eastern imported wares; this part is tentatively dated to the late New Kingdom–Third Intermediate Period. The eastern part, where the previously excavated houses are located, has yielded more types including bread trays, various bowls, jars and large basins typical of the Third Intermediate Period–Late Period.