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

Ultimately, the National Cultural Heritage Administration’s blueprint seeks to make Chinese archaeology a stronger international research force while advancing the country’s cultural influence. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026

Media archaeology is exactly the kind of (proto) discipline that is interested in dead ends, unrealized projects, and strange coincidences. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 28 Oct. 2026

Mark Merrony, a fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, and editor-in-chief of Antiqvvs, an archaeology magazine, first identified the fort using satellite imagery in 2024. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Two Anglo-Saxon abbots are in the running, according to a new archaeology study. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

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