archaeology

or ar·che·ol·o·gy

[ ahr-kee-ol-uh-jee ]

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.

archaeology

/ ˌɑːkɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl; ˌɑːkɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

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

archaeology

/ 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.

archaeology

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.

Derived Forms

• ˌarchaeoˈlogically, adverb
• archaeological, adjective
• ˌarchaeˈologist, noun

Other Word Forms

• archae·olo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of archaeology¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of archaeology¹

C17: from Late Latin archaeologia, from Greek arkhaiologia study of what is ancient, from arkhaios ancient (from arkhē beginning)

Example Sentences

They included monitoring for archaeology related to the battle, and also the remains of a Bronze Age settlement or burial site.

From BBC

Howard Williams, professor of archaeology at the University of Chester, also writes the Archaeodeath blog, examining attitudes to excavated human remains.

From BBC

In the archaeology labs at Durham University there's a real buzz about the unveiling of the Melsonby Hoard.

From BBC

Local archaeology enthusiast George Bird had suggested "for some time" the stone might be part of a larger monument, and his interest prompted the investigation.

From BBC

Their jobs were in archaeology, preservation, research and emergency medical response.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excavation
• paleontology