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.
"It was by accident really," said Bolton, who described the cave as "huge" and "unlike any other" he had seen in the UK in terms of its archaeological potential.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 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
Kai Poma plans to conduct cultural and archaeological resource studies and environmental surveys and then prepare a resource management plan for the property, according to planning documents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 3, 2026
As scientists apply this technique to archaeological sites around the world, it could help answer long-standing questions about the origins and evolution of one of the most transformative technologies in human history.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 24, 2026
In 1997 an archaeologist and a medical doctor with archaeological leanings identified them as human fetuses.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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.
