But that had been lost once they cleared the land and began excavations.

The new drill will be used to begin excavations for the tunnel in April 2009.

By the 1980s, archaeologists had reduced the number of possible locations and began limited excavations.

A mining company began excavation, with the college receiving a percentage of sales - about $50,000 to $150,000 a year.

Matthew Stirling was the first to begin excavations on the site after a visit in 1938.

In 1958 he began excavations at ancient Sardis and continued there until 1976.

An archaeological excavation begun in 2001 has revealed more evidence about the early history of the site, its owners and construction.

From excavations begun in 1901 it seems clear that the remains now visible on the site are entirely Roman.

Following this discovery the architect immediately removed the new foundations and began excavations of the earlier church.

The fort went back to the army in 1955, which began excavations to recover the remains of those killed in 1940.