archaeological
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- archaeologically adverb
- hyperarchaeological adjective
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.
After the shooting, authorities described the sprawling archaeological zone — among Mexico’s most visited tourist sites — as calm and under control.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
The over 2,000-year old pyramid city is one of Mexico's most important archaeological sites as well as one of the most popular tourist sites near Mexico City.
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
David Sassine, Aliph’s project manager in Beirut, was recently dispatched to Tyre, the archaeological site in southern Lebanon that’s famous for its history as a Phoenician maritime hub and for its production of purple dye.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026
The newly approved funding highlights the growing importance of archaeological research in the Frankfurt region and reflects strong collaboration among institutions in the Rhine-Main area and beyond.
From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026
“An unforgettable crunch was heard…,” recalled Margaret Rule, the archaeological director of the search project.
From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler
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.
