excavation

noun

• 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.