archaeological
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of archaeological
1775–85; < Greek archaiologik ( ós ) ( see archaeology, -ic) + -al 1
Explanation
An old house that has sat abandoned for hundreds of years isn’t just creepy — it’s archaeological! This is because its remains offer a treasure trove of details about the past and the lives of those who once called it home. The term archaeological describes anything connected to the field of archaeology, which is the study of human history and the past. Archaeological digs and findings help piece together human history like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Objects can include anything from pottery shards to old bones, adding a piece to the story of human life on Earth. It’s like time traveling through objects, where every discovery teaches us something new about our ancestors.
Vocabulary lists containing archaeological
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Experts said these dry conditions have brought to light a range of hidden archaeological remains, including Roman buildings and practice trenches from World War One.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
AFP accompanied a French archaeological delegation to inspect the site after more than a decade of conflict and assess what could be restored.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
Ratliff focused her trip on the archaeological sites that draw fewer tourists and she booked accommodation away from popular beach spots.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
The remains were uncovered in Stora Förvar cave, an archaeological site on Stora Karlsö that was heavily used by seal hunters and fishers during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026
No remains of the crops actually being grown in the highlands 6,000 years ago have been preserved in archaeological sites.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
