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Excavation - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Excavation is the process of digging and removing earth, rock, or other materials from the ground, often for archaeological research, construction, or mining purposes. It involves careful uncovering and analysis.

excavation

/ˌɛkskəˈveɪʃən/ /ˌɛkskəˈveɪʃən/

Definition:

The act of digging or removing earth to uncover archaeological remains or create a hole.

Synonyms:

digging, unearthing, mining, excavation site

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

burial, filling

Common Collocations:

archaeological excavation, excavation site, excavation work, excavation team

Derivatives:

excavate, excavator

Usage Tips:

Use "excavation" to describe systematic digging, especially in archaeology or construction contexts.

Common Phrases:

dig deep, unearth the past, break ground

Etymology:

From Latin "excavare," meaning "to hollow out," combining "ex-" (out) and "cavus" (hollow).

Examples:

  • 1. The archaeologists began the excavation of the ancient ruins yesterday.
  • 2. The construction crew halted the excavation due to heavy rain.
  • 3. Excavation revealed pottery fragments dating back centuries.
  • 4. Proper permits are required for large-scale excavation projects.

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