excavation

noun

1. 1.The act of excavating, or of making hollow, by cutting, scooping, or digging out a part of a solid mass.
2. 2.A cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping.
3. 3.An uncovered cutting in the earth, in distinction from a covered cutting or tunnel.
4. 4.The material dug out in making a channel or cavity.
5. 5.Archaeological research that unearths buildings, tombs and objects of historical value.