shovel test

English

Noun

shovel test (plural shovel tests)

1. (archaeology) An excavation unit of small extent and shallow depth, made quickly with a shovel or trowel to determine whether archeologically significant material is present below the ground surface.

   A single shovel test was all we needed to show the site's importance.

Verb

shovel test (third-person singular simple present shovel tests, present participle shovel testing, simple past and past participle shovel tested)

1. (archaeology) To examine a site or area using one or more small excavation units.

   They were contracted to shovel test only within the proposed pipeline's right of way.