archaeology
Definitions
The study of past human societies through the excavation and analysis of physical remains such as artifacts, structures, and bones.
考古学：通过发掘和分析人工制品、建筑、骨骸等实物遗存来研究人类过去社会的学科。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedarchaeo- (ancient) + -logy (study of) = "the study of ancient things." Unlike historians, who work from written records, archaeologists recover the past from the ground — reading broken pots, foundations, and bones the way others read books.
Root archaeo still carries 3 more wordsUsage Guide
Spelling: archaeology (British, keeps Greek -ae-) vs archeology (American, simplified). The -ae- version is more common internationally. Pronounced /ˌɑːkiˈɒlədʒi/ — the middle is "key," not "chee."
Example Sentences
- 1.
She studied archaeology before joining a dig in Egypt.
- 2.
Underwater archaeology recovers shipwrecks from the seabed.
- 3.
Modern archaeology relies heavily on radiocarbon dating.