archaeology
archaeology Lexical Profile
archaeology Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.
"She decided to study archaeology in college after volunteering at a Roman excavation site."
The physical remains, artifacts, and cultural features of a particular historical period, region, or people.
"The construction project was halted so experts could document the rich archaeology uncovered beneath the city streets."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Archaeology' is the standard spelling worldwide, though the variant 'archeology' is also recognized and used in American English (notably by some US federal agencies). It is often confused with 'paleontology', which studies fossilized prehistoric animals and plants rather than human material culture.
• Rhymes for archaeology
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 17th century via French or Modern Latin from Ancient Greek 'archaiologia' (the study of ancient things), derived from 'archaios' (ancient) and '-logia' (study).