Very much approves of excavations (4)
I believe the answer is:
digs
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'very much approves of' is the first definition.
'excavations' is the second definition.
('dig' can be a synonym of 'excavation')
(Other definitions for digs that I've seen before include "Lodgings - snide remarks" , "where archaeologists work" , "Pokes sharply" , "Jibes" , "place to stay" .)