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

Leaks were discovered in the archaeology pit, windows, walls and an 8,000-gallon freshwater aquarium. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026

Martin, an adjunct professor of archaeology at La Trobe University in Australia, was not involved in the new study. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Mar. 2026

After attending Del Mar Hills Elementary and The Bishop’s School, Kennerson headed to Yale to study archaeology and Montana State University for a master’s degree in natural history filmmaking. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026

Jordan used to be an archaeologist, doing salvage archaeology for construction projects in Austria and the Mediterranean. —Blair Braverman, Outside, 3 Mar. 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