archaeology

noun

ar·​chae·​ol·​o·​gy ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jē How to pronounce archaeology (audio)
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 adjective
archaeologically adverb
archaeologist noun

Examples of archaeology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here are three of our most recent eye-catching archaeology stories. Aspen Pflughoeft july 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025 The sudden transformation of life into archaeology—who’d understood that better than Harold? Nicole Krauss, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025 The building will consolidate the 6 million items currently part of the Cincinnati Museum Center's multiple collections, including vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology, zoology, mineralogy, archaeology, history objects, fine art, manuscripts, moving images and photographs. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Read More: Sam Walters is a journalist covering archaeology, paleontology, ecology, and evolution for Discover, along with an assortment of other topics. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for archaeology

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of archaeology was in 1782

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Cite this Entry

“Archaeology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archaeology. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

archaeology

noun
ar·​chae·​ol·​o·​gy
variants or archeology
: the science that deals with past human life as shown by fossil relics and the monuments and tools left by ancient peoples
archaeological adjective
archaeologist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on archaeology

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