κατασκαφή

A. razing to the ground, destruction, S. OC 1318, Th. 5.63; τειχῶν Lys. 13.8; ἀκροπόλεως SIG 285.9 (Erythrae, iv B.C.): more freq. in pl., Ἰλίου κ. E. Hel. 196 (lyr.); ἰὼ κ. δόμων A. Ch. 50 (lyr.); πόλει κατασκαφὰς θέντες Id. Th. 46; πύργων κ. E. Ph. 1196; τειχῶν Aeschin. 3.157.

II. that which is dug, esp. grave, in pl., θάπτειν . . γῆς . . κατασκαφαῖς A. Th. 1013, cf. 1042; ἐς θανόντων . . κατασκαφάς S. Ant. 920.