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 Here are three of our most eye-catching archaeology stories from the past week. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 The bell will be sent to the command’s underwater archaeology lab sometime later this year for restoration. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 Their work drew on archaeology records, DNA evidence and Indigenous knowledge to shed new light on the history of horses and humans in North America. Philip Distefano, The Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2024 Click here to subscribe to read more stories like this one. archaeology culture behavior & society human origins 1 free article left Want More? Elizabeth Heath, Discover Magazine, 17 Feb. 2024 That’s probably the most controversial article that’s been published in North American archaeology in the last 50 years or more. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2024 Everything unearthed was taken back to UMBC’s archaeology lab for cleaning and identification. Mary Ann Ashcraft, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2024 Splendor in Scripture isn’t an exhibition about the Bible’s lessons but, rather, a show about exquisite bindings, biblical archaeology, evocative illustrations, and early texts, all of which, Morgan felt, enriched and deepened the Bible’s themes. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024 Archaeologists linked the 2,400-year-old sacrificial site to the Lusatian culture, a European Bronze Age culture known only from archaeology. Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 24 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'archaeology.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near archaeology

Cite this Entry

“Archaeology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archaeology. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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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