archaeology

Everyday

The study of the human past by digging up and examining old things people left behind, such as tools, bones, pots, coins and buildings. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons archaeology is how we know about times before writing: the Stone Age, Romans, Vikings, ancient Egypt. Archaeologists dig carefully in layers (deeper is usually older) and record everything. In stories archaeology means adventure and mystery. Phrases: study archaeology, an archaeological dig, an archaeologist.

Examples

• Archaeology tells us how Vikings lived. tree →
• Archaeologists found Roman coins under the car park. tree →
• We did an archaeology dig in the school sandpit. tree →
• Archaeology helps us learn about people who never wrote anything down. tree →
• The deeper layers in an archaeology dig are usually older. tree →
• Dinosaur bones are studied by palaeontologists, not by archaeology. tree →
• He has endeavoured in his illustrations to retain as much as possible of Celtic ornamentation; for all details of Celtic archaeology he has authority. tree →

Note

Uncountable. UK spelling: archaeology; US often: archeology. Pronounced ar-kee-OL-o-jee. Person: archaeologist; adjective: archaeological. Myth: archaeologists do not dig up dinosaurs — that is palaeontology. Archaeology studies humans.