shovel test

Noun

 * 1)  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

 * 1)  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.