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.