Excavation
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth
(2) The act of digging
"There's an interesting excavation going on near Princeton"
(3) A hole in the ground made by excavating
(4) The site of an archeological exploration
"They set up camp next to the dig"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
excavare< ex- (out) + cavare (to hollow)< cavus (hollow)<
Noun
excavation
- the act of excavating, or of making hollow, by cutting, scooping, or digging out a part of a solid mass
- a cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping
- an uncovered cutting in the earth, in distinction from a covered cutting or tunnel
- the material dug out in making a channel or cavity
- archaeological research that unearths buildings, tombs and objects of historical value
- a site where an archaeological exploration is being carried out