archaeologist
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of archaeologist
Explanation
An archaeologist is a scientist who studies human history by digging up human remains and artifacts. Lucy, the oldest human known to man — nearly 3.2 million years old — was dug up in Ethiopia by archaeologist. We know about the history of the human species thanks to archaeologists who spend countless hours sifting through dirt and digging through ruins to find evidence of human life from across time. The word archaeologist can also be spelled archeologist. It comes from the Greek root archaeo-, for "ancient, primitive."
Vocabulary lists containing archaeologist
Play by the Rules: Arch
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Occupations
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The Origins of Civilization, Lessons 1–2
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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.
Archaeologist Dr John Pearce, from King's College, London, researched the item for the Portable Antiquities Scheme and said there is "nothing quite like it in Romano- Britain".
From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026
Archaeologist Abhijit Ambekar, who discovered the skeleton, said that he was happy that the significant find was getting the attention it deserved.
From BBC • May 16, 2025
Archaeologist Rocco Palermo of Bryn Mawr College, who wasn’t involved in the study, says spy satellite photos have become a vital resource for researchers and their detailed examination is a crucial advance.
From National Geographic • Oct. 25, 2023
So, right from the first woman: The book opens with "A for Archaeologist."
From Salon • Oct. 22, 2023
"Well, Mr. Archaeologist," the Baron said at last, allowing his big cigar to settle well into one corner of his mouth, "there is the devil to pay."
From The Heart of Rome by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)
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.
