A deep trench, often of restricted area, to investigate the stratigraphy of a site; an exploratory excavation made to determine whether a thorough excavation is warranted; a genteel term for test pit. A number of sondages may be dug so that the maximum of preliminary information may be gained with the minimum of effort and disturbance. In modern archaeology, this technique of pre-examination of a site is generally replaced by physical methods (e.g. magnetometer survey, resistivity survey), or if applicable, aerial photography, though a more sophisticated version of the technique of sondage digging would be classified as sampling. Sondage may later be enlarged into an area excavation to give more evidence on the cultural levels or building phases disclosed. The term is often associated with the investigation of the deep stratigraphic record of tells in the Near East.