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archaeology

noun ar·chae·ol·o·gy \ ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jē \
variants: or archeology
|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Definition of archaeology

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

play \ˌär-kē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl\ adjective
—

archaeologically

play \-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
—

archaeologist

play \ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jist\ noun

See archaeology defined for English-language learners

See archaeology defined for kids

Recent Examples of archaeology from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'archaeology.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of archaeology

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

Other Archaeology Terms

Attic, Byzantine, Paleolithic, cairn, core, flint, horizon, neolithic, shard, stratum

ARCHAEOLOGY Defined for English Language Learners

archaeology

noun

Definition of archaeology for English Language Learners

  • : a science that deals with past human life and activities by studying the bones, tools, etc., of ancient people

ARCHAEOLOGY Defined for Kids

archaeology

noun ar·chae·ol·o·gy
variants: or archeology \ˌär-kē-ˈä-lə-jē\

Definition of archaeology for Students

: a science that deals with past human life and activities as shown by objects (as pottery, tools, and statues) left by ancient peoples

Learn More about archaeology

  1. Spanish Central: Translation of archaeology Nglish: Translation of archaeology for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of archaeology for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about archaeology

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