archaeology

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀρχαιολογία (arkhaiología, “antiquarian lore, ancient legends, history”), from ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos, “primal, old, ancient”) + λόγος (lógos, “speech, oration, study”); Surface etymology is archaeo- + -logy.

noun

1. The study of the past by excavation and analysis of its material remains:
   1. the actual excavation, examination, analysis and interpretation.
      The building's developers have asked for some archaeology to be undertaken.
   2. the actual remains together with their location in the stratigraphy.
      The archaeology will tell us which methods of burial were used by the Ancient Greeks.
   3. the academic subject; in the USA: one of the four sub-disciplines of anthropology.
      She studied archaeology at Edinburgh University.