archaeology

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

archaeologist

2 of 2

noun (2)

ar·​chae·​ol·​o·​gist

variants or archeologist

ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jist 

plural -s

: a specialist in archaeology

Examples of archaeology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Paintings, artwork, sculptures, stamps, statuary, other collector’s pieces (such as pieces of archaeology), as well as antiques older than 100 years but not over 250 years old are listed, as are suitcases, trunks, vanities and other types of bags. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Yes, seen from down in the crater, the sky was a piece of living archaeology, and the longer Gunn could spend gazing out at it, the better her grasp of the root of time. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

The excavation was overseen by two local archaeology and fine art organizations, who were already working in the area. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

The application was featured at the Native American Hall at the Elgin Public Museum to demonstrate how artificial intelligence can both support archaeology and preserve history. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1785, in the meaning defined above

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