excavations
Holes dug systematically
Excavations are holes or cavities created by digging, typically for construction, archaeology, or mining purposes.
In archaeology, the term refers specifically to systematic digs at sites of historical interest, where layers of earth are carefully removed to uncover artifacts and structures: The excavations at Pompeii revealed remarkably preserved Roman life.
The word also applies to the process itself, not just the resulting holes.
Large-scale excavations often precede major building projects, clearing ground for foundations.
Long narrow excavation
- pitFruit's hard seed
- shaftNarrow vertical passage
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- earthworkConstructed soil structure
soil · sediment · layer · bedrock · clay · gravel · sand · trowel
Flat blade for spreading
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
- tombUnderground chamber for remains
burial · ancient · prehistoric · neolithic · roman · troy · ur
Fired clay objects
- shardsBroken fragments of brittle material
- potsherdsFragments of broken ceramics
- coinsMetal money units
- jewelryOrnamental personal accessories
amulets · statuettes · figurines · beads · tools · weapons · bones · fossils
Unearth by shoveling
- tellConvey information verbally
- moundHeaped earth formation
- barrowLoad carrier or tumulus
- tumulusAncient burial mound
necropolis · catacomb · quarry · mine · foundation · survey · mapping · documentation
Hinged-arm excavating machine
- bulldozerBladed vehicle pushing earth
- earthmoverHeavy digging machinery
- craneLifter or wader
- loaderOne who fills containers
trencher · hydraulic · bucket · scoop · grading · earthmoving · operator · tracks
Discovering something hidden
- uncoveringRevealing something hidden
- findingConclusion from investigation
- exposureState of being unprotected
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
cache · hoard · treasure · remains · specimen · intact · preserved · significant
trench
Long narrow excavation
earthwork · soil · sediment · layer · bedrock · clay · gravel · sand · trowel · shovel
trowel
Flat blade for spreading
- stratigraphyStudy of rock layers
- artifactsHuman-made historical objects
- ruinsDecayed structural remains
tomb · burial · ancient · prehistoric · neolithic · roman · troy · ur
pottery
Fired clay objects
- shardsBroken fragments of brittle material
- potsherdsFragments of broken ceramics
- coinsMetal money units
jewelry · amulets · statuettes · figurines · beads · tools · weapons · bones · fossils · mosaics
dig
Unearth by shoveling
tumulus · necropolis · catacomb · quarry · mine · foundation · survey · mapping · documentation
backhoe
Hinged-arm excavating machine
- bulldozerBladed vehicle pushing earth
- earthmoverHeavy digging machinery
- craneLifter or wader
loader · trencher · hydraulic · bucket · scoop · grading · earthmoving · operator · tracks · boom
unearthing
Discovering something hidden
- uncoveringRevealing something hidden
- findingConclusion from investigation
- exposureState of being unprotected
revelation · cache · hoard · treasure · remains · specimen · intact · preserved · significant · unprecedented
- Asian PrehistoryPaleolithic, Bronze Age, Chalcolithic, hunter-gatherers, stone tools
- Belize archaeologyMaya ruins, Louisville, Caledonia, stelae, stela
- Polish prehistoryBronze Age, Iron Age, flint tools, bronze tools, burial mounds
- Ancient RomeRome, Julius Caesar, Caesar, gladiator, gladiators
- archaeologydig site, archaeologist, dig, archaeological digs, digs
- Aboriginal Prehistorystone tools, boomerangs, didgeridoo, spears, rock shelters
excavationsfillings
Material inserted into cavities
backfills · infills · burials · fills · embankments
excavationsmounds
Heaps of earth
berms · embankments · hillocks · tumuli · earthen mounds
- archaeological excavationSystematic unearthing of artifacts
- excavation siteLocation of systematic unearthing
- fossil excavationRecovering preserved ancient organisms
- excavation equipmentMachines for digging ground
- deep excavation