Test excavation definition
Test excavation means the systematic placement of probes, cores, shovel tests or test pits using hand tools, and test trenches excavated by hand or with mechanical earth-moving equipment to expose geomorphological soils and buried cultural deposits to determine the research potential and nature and extent of cultural deposits at an archaeological site without substantially damaging or diminishing the integrity of the archaeological site. The total surface disturbance resulting from test excavation shall not exceed 5 percent of the surface area of the site area or 5 percent of the portion of the site that may be affected by an undertaking or project, whichever is less.
Test excavation means the systematic placement of probes, cores, shovel tests or test pits using hand tools, and test trenches excavated by hand or with mechanical earth-moving equipment to expose geomorphological soils and buried cultural deposits. Test excavation is completed under a test excavation plan and is conducted to determine the eligibility of a site or define the nature and extent of cultural deposits.
Examples of Test excavation in a sentence
Test excavation units will be recorded on unit-level forms, which include plan maps for each excavated level, and material type, number, and vertical provenience (depth below surface and stratum association where applicable) for all artifacts recovered from the level.