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Archaeology: meaning, definitions and examples

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archaeology

 

[ ɑːr.kiˈɒl.ə.dʒi ]

Noun
Subjects
Context #1 | Noun

academic field

Archaeology is the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts, structures, and cultural landscapes. It aims to understand past human behaviors, contexts, and social structures by examining material remains. This method of inquiry provides insights into how ancient civilizations lived, worked, and interacted with their environments. Archaeologists employ various scientific techniques, including radiocarbon dating, to determine the age of finds and reconstruct historical narratives.

Synonyms

anthropology, historical science, prehistory

Examples of usage

  • The archaeology of ancient Egypt reveals remarkable insights into pharaohs.
  • She decided to pursue a degree in archaeology to explore ancient cultures.
  • The site underwent detailed archaeology to uncover artifacts from the Bronze Age.

Translations

Translations of the word "archaeology" in other languages:

🇵🇹 arqueologia

🇮🇳 पुरातत्व

🇩🇪 Archäologie

🇮🇩 arkeologi

🇺🇦 археологія

🇵🇱 archeologia

🇯🇵 考古学

🇫🇷 archéologie

🇪🇸 arqueología

🇹🇷 arkeoloji

🇰🇷 고고학

🇸🇦 علم الآثار

🇨🇿 archeologie

🇸🇰 archeológia

🇨🇳 考古学

🇸🇮 arheologija

🇮🇸 fornleifafræði

🇰🇿 археология

🇬🇪 არქეოლოგია

🇦🇿 arkeologiya

🇲🇽 arqueología

Etymology

The term 'archaeology' is derived from the Greek words 'arkhaios', meaning 'ancient', and 'logos', meaning 'study' or 'discourse'. Since the 19th century, the discipline has evolved from treasure hunting and antiquarianism to a rigorous academic field. The focus shifted towards understanding human behavior and cultural evolution through scientific methodologies. Significant advancements, such as pottery typology and stratigraphy, have helped archaeologists date and analyze their findings more effectively. Archaeology eventually established itself as an interdisciplinary science, intersecting with history, anthropology, and environmental science, enhancing our understanding of the human past through diverse perspectives.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,004, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.