Archaeology \Ar`ch[ae]*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; 'archai^os ancient (fr. 'archh` beginning) + ? discourse, ? to speak.]

The science or study of antiquities, esp. prehistoric antiquities, such as the remains of buildings or monuments of an early epoch, inscriptions, implements, and other relics, written manuscripts, etc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)