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.
The council said local residents would have opportunities to get involved in further archaeological excavations and activities as the project continues.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
What to know: A comedy about women on an archaeological dig, the show reunites Amy Poehler and “Parks and Recreation” creator Michael Schur, and is based on the novel “Excavations” by Kate Myers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 19, 2026
The finding fits with other archaeological evidence indicating that Cloggs Cave was a place of long-lasting ritual activity rather than an ordinary living site.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026
Exactly when people first began using betel nut in this way has been difficult to establish because areca seeds rarely survive in the archaeological record.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 10, 2026
While those conclusions rest on archaeological evidence, there is also an independent method for dating the arrival of domestic plants and animals: by comparing the words for them in modern languages.
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.
