MESSY DIGS is a term used to describe a type of archaeological excavation. It involves digging through layers of soil and debris to uncover artifacts and other evidence of past civilizations. The term STY, which is a three letter acronym, is often used to describe this type of excavation. STY stands for 'shovel test pits, ' which are small holes dug in the ground to search for artifacts. Messy digs involve digging through large amounts of soil and debris, often with the use of heavy machinery, to uncover artifacts and other evidence of past civilizations.