archaeology
/,ɑ:ki'ɔlədʤi/
Definition
- Noun:
- The scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. It is a sub-discipline of anthropology focused on understanding past human societies by examining the material culture they left behind.
Usage
- As a subject or field of study:
- She decided to study archaeology at university.
- Advances in archaeology have changed our understanding of ancient civilizations.
- Referring to the practice or work involved:
- The archaeology conducted at the site revealed a previously unknown settlement.
- He has a career in maritime archaeology.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- "Processual archaeology": A theoretical approach, also known as the "New Archaeology," that emphasizes the use of scientific methods and the search for general laws of cultural process.
- Processual archaeology sought to make the field more rigorous and hypothesis-driven.
- "Post-processual archaeology": A theoretical movement that critiques processual archaeology, emphasizing the role of human agency, symbolism, and interpretation.
- Post-processual archaeology argues for multiple interpretations of the past.
Variants and Related Words
- Archaeological (adj): Relating to archaeology.
- The archaeological evidence was carefully cataloged.
- Archaeologist (n): A person who studies archaeology.
- The archaeologist led the dig at the ancient temple.
Synonyms
- Prehistory: The period of human history before written records, often studied through archaeology.
- Antiquarianism: An older, less scientific interest in ancient artifacts and monuments (note: this is a related but distinct concept).
Related Phrases
- Field archaeology: The practical work of surveying and excavating archaeological sites.
- He specializes in field archaeology in desert environments.
- Rescue archaeology (or salvage archaeology): Archaeological work undertaken urgently ahead of construction or development to preserve information.
- Rescue archaeology was conducted before the new highway was built.
Noun
-
the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures
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