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. Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025 Based on years of forensic archaeology combined with interviews of more than 200 survivors and their families, Ghosts of Hiroshima published on Aug. 5 — the week of the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025 Sibley Birds app ditch your phone or camera and unplug Kate Wong is an award-winning science writer and senior editor at Scientific American focused on evolution, ecology, anthropology, archaeology, paleontology and animal behavior. Kate Wong, Scientific American, 4 Aug. 2025 The discoveries come on the heels of several recent breakthroughs in early Christian archaeology. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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