We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Construction

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Site Excavation?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 69,010
Share

Site excavation is a process in which soil, rock, and other materials are removed from a site, typically with the use of heavy earthmoving equipment such as excavators and bulldozers. There are a number of reasons to conduct an excavation of a site, ranging from a desire to explore a site to learn more about its archaeological history to an environmental remediation project. Depending on the purpose of a site excavation, it may be conducted and supervised by various professionals.

During new construction on buildings, roads, and other structures, site excavation is one of the earliest stages. The site is excavated to create a level, clean area to work, with the foundations being established in the excavated area. A site may also be excavated and backfilled to confirm that the material directly under the site is of high quality. The depth of site excavation can vary, depending on what is being built and where the building is occurring.

Archaeological excavation involves the painstaking removal of material in layers, with material being sifted and carefully examined for objects of historical interest. Excavation can be used to uncover structures which have been buried over time, to examine burial sites, to look through former settlements, and in many other types of archaeological and paleontological activities. Additionally, before building excavation can begin in some regions of the world, an archaeological investigation may be required to confirm that building will not damage or compromise material of archaeological importance, to remove material of archaeological interest, or to comply with laws surrounding native and historic burial sites.

Environmental remediation can also involve site excavation. If soil is contaminated, it may be necessary to remove it and backfill with clean soil. The excavated soil can be disposed of in a facility which handles contaminated materials. Excavation can also be used to prepare a site for sequestration of contaminated materials, with the excavation being outfitted with liners to prevent seepage.

Some construction firms specialize in site excavation. These firms have an assortment of specialized equipment and crews which can handle a wide variety of types of excavations, dealing with everything from construction supports to prevent collapse of side walls to organizing the safe removal of excavated material. Hiring such a firm usually ensures that the excavation is conducted safely and competently, reducing the risk of problems at the site in the future. For archaeological excavation of proposed building sites, specialized firms provide archaeology consulting services including excavation and site evaluation.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a About Mechanics researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By backhoe — On Jun 17, 2014

Tracked loaders (virtually all tracked machines) are definitely more expensive compared to their wheeled variation, nevertheless they let you do the job more quickly in addition to being able to work on a greater variety of sites. The most advantageous part is that you avoid wheel punctures altogether. Replacing heavy equipment tires can cost you an arm and a leg.

Tire issues can be a disaster on the job, and this kind of incident will simply make you waste your time. Get track equipment if you have the budget for it.

By sobeit — On Jun 03, 2011

Excavation work has been going on in Rome for so long, I doubt we're anywhere near the bottom. There's an entire city beneath the Vatican and plenty of other archeological finds that are being uncovered. This is a fascinating line of work for a history buff!

By rosequartz — On Jun 02, 2011

When our pool was built, the excavating contractors planned to remove all the large rocks that were dug out from our backyard. When we asked if they could just move the rocks to the front yard to create a natural looking plant bed, they wanted to charge us so much money, I let them take the rocks away in their truck for free.

I always wondered if they sold those beautiful rocks to other homeowners who were doing landscaping in their yards.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-site-excavation.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.