Ancient Excavation
CM2Commander Anthology Volume II/#150/2018UncommonReprint
Colour IDMV 4
Current paper retail
Card Kingdom$1.79
Cardmarket€1.32
ManaPool$0.76
TCGplayer$0.81
Buylist (dealers pay)
Card Kingdom$0.90
Paper retail history (USD)
3 providers
Latest $1.79High $1.99Low $0.99▲ 0.0%
Market and collecting
Market overview
$0.81TCGplayer, USD, retail, nonfoil
Latest observation: 2026-11-10
7d▼ 5.8%30d▼ 9.0%90d▼ 19.8%
90d high
$1.01
90d low
$0.81
Paper printings priced
3
Currently 3rd
Cheapest paper printing
$0.26
The List
- Down 9.0% over the last 30 days on TCGplayer.
- Currently 20% below its 90 day high of $1.01.
- This is the most expensive paper printing currently priced (3 priced in total).
Find this printing on eBayView on TCGplayerAffiliate. MTGPrices may earn from qualifying eBay and TCGplayer purchases.
Collect
Play
Compare printings (3 priced)
Gameplay and rules
Instant
Draw cards equal to the number of cards in your hand, then discard a card for each card drawn this way.
Basic landcycling (, Discard this card: Search your library for a basic land card, reveal it, put it into your hand, then shuffle.)
Keywords
LandcyclingBasic landcyclingTypecyclingCycling
Card capabilities
Derived deterministically from card types, Oracle text and keywords. Not a strategic evaluation.
Format legality
Primary formats
Eternal formats
Digital formats
Rulings (2)
wotc8 Nov 2016
The number of cards drawn this way might not be equal to the number of cards in your hand (for example, if you apply Necroplasm’s dredge ability instead of drawing one of those cards). The number of cards that you actually drew is what determines how many cards you discard.
wotc8 Nov 2016
The number of cards in your hand is counted only as Ancient Excavation resolves. Ancient Excavation is on the stack at this time, so it’s not counted.
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Ranked by shared capabilities, colour identity, mana value and type. Never by strategic judgement.
Shares Card draw, Discard, InstantOverlapping colour identity
Shares Card draw, InstantOverlapping colour identity
Shares Discard, InstantOverlapping colour identity
Shares Card draw, InstantOverlapping colour identity
Shares Card draw, InstantOverlapping colour identity
Shares Card draw, InstantMV 3 vs 4
Shares Discard, TutorOverlapping colour identity
Shares Card draw, InstantOverlapping colour identity
About this card
Ancient Excavation
Ancient Excavation is an Instant, with mana cost {2}{U}{B} (mana value 4). Printed 3 times across MTG sets.
Format legality: Commander: legal, Modern: not_legal, Standard: not_legal, Pioneer: not_legal, Legacy: legal, Pauper: not_legal.
Current headline price on TCGplayer: $0.81 (down 9.0% over 30 days).
Frequently asked
Ancient Excavation FAQ
How much is Ancient Excavation worth?
The current TCGplayer USD retail price for Ancient Excavation is $0.81. It is down 9.0% over the last 30 days. Over 90 days it has ranged from $0.81 to $1.01.
What is the cheapest printing of Ancient Excavation?
The cheapest currently priced paper printing is from The List at $0.26 on TCGplayer.
What is the most expensive printing of Ancient Excavation?
The most expensive currently priced paper printing is from Commander Anthology Volume II at $0.81 on TCGplayer.
How many printings of Ancient Excavation are there?
Ancient Excavation has been printed 3 times in English paper sets that MTGPrices tracks.
What set was Ancient Excavation first printed in?
The earliest English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from C16 #27, released 2016-11-11.
What is the newest printing of Ancient Excavation?
The most recent English paper printing that MTGPrices tracks is from PLST #PZ2-38, released 2024-08-02.
Is Ancient Excavation legal in Commander?
Yes, Ancient Excavation is currently legal in Commander per Scryfall's legality feed.
Is Ancient Excavation legal in Modern?
Ancient Excavation is not currently legal in Modern per Scryfall's legality feed.