archaeology

noun

ar·​chae·​ol·​o·​gy ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jē 

variants or archeology

1

: the scientific study of material remains (such as tools, pottery, jewelry, stone walls, and monuments) of past human life and activities

2

: remains of the culture of a people : antiquities

the archaeology of the Incas

archaeological

ˌär-kē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

archaeologically

ˌär-kē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

archaeologist

ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jist 

noun

Examples of archaeology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here are three of our most recent eye-catching archaeology stories. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2025

Before joining the Discover team as an assistant editor in 2022, Sam studied journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. human origins fossils archaeology anthropology 1 free article left Want More? —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 5 Mar. 2025

According to Szymański, archaeology is more of a challenge in El Salvador than in the neighboring countries—with many sites obscured by volcanic eruptions and the republic's high population density making excavation difficult. —Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025

Officials also fired about eight staffers from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, including workers focused on archaeology, wildlife research and emergency medical response, according to Deanna Armbruster, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French archéologie, from Late Latin archaeologia antiquarian lore, from Greek archaiologia, from archaio- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing archaeology

• industrial archaeology

Rhymes for archaeology

• aetiology
• anthropology
• archeology
• audiology
• cardiology
• climatology
• cohomology
• cosmetology
• criminology
• demonology
• dermatology
• egyptology

Kids Definition

archaeology

noun

ar·​chae·​ol·​o·​gy

variants or archeology

ˌär-kē-ˈäl-ə-jē 

: the science that deals with past human life as shown by fossil relics and the monuments and tools left by ancient peoples

archaeological

-kē-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

archaeologist

-kē-ˈäl-ə-jəst 

noun