excavation
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excavation
The process of systematically uncovering remains from past times that are hidden in the ground, especially in archaeology.
Die Ausgrabung der römischen Villa dauerte mehrere Jahre.
The excavation of the Roman villa took several years.
The word 'Ausgrabung' (excavation) is derived from the separable verb 'ausgraben' (to dig up / to excavate). It consists of the prefix 'aus-' (out), the verb 'graben' (to dig), and the ending '-ung', which describes an action or its result.
Archäologen graben hier nach römischen Artefakten.
Archaeologists are digging here for Roman artifacts.
The exact meaning of 'Ausgrabung' (excavation) depends on the verb. 'Eine Ausgrabung leiten' (to lead an excavation) refers to the process. 'Eine Ausgrabung besichtigen' (to visit an excavation site) means the place. 'Die Ausgrabungen ausstellen' (to exhibit the excavated finds), usually in the plural, refers to the objects found.
Die Archäologin leitet die Ausgrabung persönlich.
The archaeologist is personally leading the excavation.
When the process of digging is meant, the word is often combined with verbs such as 'durchführen' (to carry out), 'leiten' (to lead), or 'beginnen' (to begin). It is also frequently used with 'archäologisch' (archaeological).
Nächstes Jahr wird eine neue archäologische Ausgrabung durchgeführt.
A new archaeological excavation will be carried out next year.
When 'Ausgrabung' (excavation site) means the place, different prepositions are used. You can say 'die Ausgrabung besichtigen' (to visit the excavation site), without a preposition, but you work 'auf der Ausgrabung' (at/on the excavation site).
Als Student hat er den Sommer über auf einer Ausgrabung in Ägypten gearbeitet.
As a student, he worked at an excavation site in Egypt over the summer.
find / discovery
'der Fund' and 'die Ausgrabung' often belong to the same topic, especially in archaeology. A 'Fund' is what you discover or have found, for example an old object. 'Ausgrabung' usually means the work in which such things are uncovered from the ground, or also the place where this work happens. The words can be confused because an excavation produces finds. The important point is: the 'Ausgrabung' is the process or place, while the 'Fund' is the result or the discovered object.
Die Ausgrabung dauert noch bis zum Herbst, weil viele Schichten vorsichtig geöffnet werden müssen.
The excavation will continue until autumn because many layers have to be opened carefully.
Der Fund eines alten Rings machte die Forscher sehr neugierig.
The discovery of an old ring made the researchers very curious.