archaeology

American  

[ahr-kee-ol-uh-jee] / ˌɑr kiˈɒl ə dʒi /

Or archeology

noun

1. the scientific study of historic or prehistoric peoples and their cultures by analysis of their artifacts, inscriptions, monuments, and other such remains, especially those that have been excavated.

2. Rare. ancient history; the study of antiquity.

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archaeology British  

/ ˌɑːkɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌɑːkɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of man's past by scientific analysis of the material remains of his cultures See also prehistory protohistory

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archaeology Scientific  

/ är′kē-ŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of past human life and culture by the examination of physical remains, such as graves, tools, and pottery.

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archaeology Cultural  

1. The recovery and study of material objects, such as graves, buildings, tools, artworks, and human remains, to investigate the structure and behavior of past cultures. Archaeologists rely on physical remains as clues to the emergence and development of human societies and civilizations. Anthropologists, by contrast, to interact with living people to study their cultures.

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Other Word Forms

• archaeologist
  noun
• archaeological
  adjective
• archaeologically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of archaeology

First recorded in 1600–10, archaeology is from the Greek word archaiología the discussion of antiquities. See archaeo-, -logy

Explanation

If your idea of excitement is sifting dirt to find bits of pottery, chances are that you're an archaeology enthusiast. Archaeology is all about understanding the past by analyzing material culture — that is, objects shaped by human hands. The Greek suffix -ology ("the study of") should be familiar. Consider the word biology: bios is Greek for "life," so biology is "the study of life." Arkhaios is "ancient." Thus, archaeology is "the study of ancient things." Early archaeologists tended to seek sensational finds — like Howard Carter, who found King Tut's tomb. Contemporary archaeologists are generally more concerned with reconstructing the lives of everyday people through careful analysis of mundane artifacts — like tools and feeding utensils.

Example Sentences

Archaeology shows there was no dramatic contraction in the amount of land that was farmed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026

"Archaeology and paleogenomics are not neutral when they involve the ancestors of living people," says Rascovan.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

"Archaeology does lots of things: it gives a sense of perspective, it allows people to connect with the past in a very visceral way; you can see it and touch it," she says.

From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026

"These results highlight the deep history of our relationship with dogs," said co-lead author Dr. Carly Ameen of Exeter's Department of Archaeology and History.

From Science Daily • Jan. 6, 2026

Originally located on the island of Cyprus, the Institute of Nautical Archaeology soon moved to the campus of Texas A&M, where it has flourished ever since.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• excavation
• paleontology