Quick Answer

Ancient Excavation is a uncommon Instant from C16 (C16) costing {2}{U}{B}. Current price: $0.76 USD. Legal in Commander.

Ancient Excavation MTG card

Ancient Excavation

Instant

Card Text

Draw cards equal to the number of cards in your hand, then discard a card for each card drawn this way. Basic landcycling {2} ({2}, Discard this card: Search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)

Card Stats

uncommon CMC: 4.0 C16 C16 🎨 James Paick
Basic landcycling Cycling Landcycling

Market Prices

TCGPlayer
$0.76
Normal
Buy
Card Kingdom
$2.99
Normal
Buy
Cardmarket
€0.90
Normal
Buy
Prices updated: 2025-12-04

Format Legality

Commander Legal
Duel Legal
Legacy Legal
Oathbreaker Legal
Vintage Legal

Similar Cards

Other Printings (4 total)

Community Stats

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Decks Using This Card
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Comments

Often Played With

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ancient Excavation? Basics

Ancient Excavation is a Instant card from the Magic: The Gathering trading card game.

Its ability reads: "Draw cards equal to the number of cards in your hand, then discard a card for each card drawn this way. Basic landcycling {2} ({2}, Discard this card: Search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)"

How much mana does Ancient Excavation cost to cast? Basics

Ancient Excavation has a mana cost of {2}{U}{B}, which equals 4.0 total mana (converted mana cost/mana value).

It requires B, U mana to cast.

What does mana cost mean in Magic: The Gathering? Basics

Mana cost is the amount and type of mana required to cast a spell in Magic: The Gathering.

Ancient Excavation's mana cost of {2}{U}{B} means you need to pay that much mana from your lands or other sources.

Colored symbols (W=White, U=Blue, B=Black, R=Red, G=Green) must be paid with that specific color, while numbers can be paid with any color.

What is converted mana cost (CMC) or mana value? Basics

Converted mana cost (now officially called "mana value") is the total amount of mana in a card's mana cost, regardless of color.

Ancient Excavation has a mana value of 4.0. This is important for effects that care about a spell's total cost, like cascade or cards that say "mana value 3 or less."

What is oracle text? Basics

Oracle text is the official, current rules text for a Magic card as maintained by Wizards of the Coast. It supersedes any printed text on older cards.

Ancient Excavation's current oracle text is: "Draw cards equal to the number of cards in your hand, then discard a card for each card drawn this way. Basic landcycling {2} ({2}, Discard this card: Search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)"

What is the current price of Ancient Excavation? Pricing

The current market price for Ancient Excavation is approximately $0.76 USD on TCGPlayer.

On Cardmarket (Europe), it's approximately €0.9 EUR.

Where can I buy Ancient Excavation? Pricing

You can purchase Ancient Excavation from major MTG retailers including:

Prices vary by condition and printing. Check multiple sellers to find the best price.

What is the difference between normal and foil cards? Pricing

Foil cards have a shiny, holographic finish that makes them more collectible. They are functionally identical to normal cards but typically cost more due to their rarity and visual appeal.

Is Ancient Excavation legal in Standard? Legality

Format legality information for Ancient Excavation in Standard is not available.

Standard is a rotating format that only allows cards from the most recent sets.

Is Ancient Excavation legal in Modern? Legality

Format legality information for Ancient Excavation in Modern is not available.

Modern includes all cards printed in a standard-legal set from 8th Edition forward.

Is Ancient Excavation legal in Commander (EDH)? Legality

Ancient Excavation is Legal in Commander (EDH) format.

Commander is a casual multiplayer format where you build a 100-card singleton deck around a legendary creature.

Is Ancient Excavation legal in Pioneer? Legality

Format legality information for Ancient Excavation in Pioneer is not available.

Pioneer is a non-rotating format that includes all standard-legal sets from Return to Ravnica forward.

Is Ancient Excavation legal in Legacy? Legality

Ancient Excavation is Legal in Legacy format.

Legacy allows almost all cards ever printed, with a substantial ban list for balance.

Is Ancient Excavation legal in Vintage? Legality

Ancient Excavation is Legal in Vintage format.

Vintage is the most permissive format, allowing almost all cards with only a minimal ban list. Some powerful cards are "Restricted" (limited to 1 copy).

Is Ancient Excavation legal in Pauper? Legality

Format legality information for Ancient Excavation in Pauper is not available.

Pauper only allows cards that have been printed at common rarity in a paper or online set.

What is format legality in MTG? Legality

Format legality indicates which official MTG formats allow a card to be played:

  • Legal: Card is allowed in the format
  • Banned: Card is prohibited from play
  • Restricted: Limited to 1 copy (Vintage only)
  • Not Legal: Card was never part of that format's card pool

Different formats have different banned lists based on power level and game balance.

What set is Ancient Excavation from? Details

This printing of Ancient Excavation is from C16 (C16), with collector number 27.

Ancient Excavation may also appear in other MTG sets with different art or special treatments.

What is Ancient Excavation's rarity? Details

Ancient Excavation is a uncommon card in C16.

Card rarity affects both availability and price. From rarest to most common: Mythic Rare → Rare → Uncommon → Common.

Who illustrated Ancient Excavation? Details

Ancient Excavation was illustrated by James Paick.

Magic: The Gathering features artwork from hundreds of talented artists, and many cards have been reprinted with new art over the years.

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