If your idea of excitement is sifting dirt to find bits of pottery, chances are that you're an archaeology enthusiast. Archaeology is all about understanding the past by analyzing material culture — that is, objects shaped by human hands.
The Greek suffix -ology ("the study of") should be familiar. Consider the word biology: bios is Greek for "life," so biology is "the study of life." Arkhaios is "ancient." Thus, archaeology is "the study of ancient things." Early archaeologists tended to seek sensational finds — like Howard Carter, who found King Tut's tomb. Contemporary archaeologists are generally more concerned with reconstructing the lives of everyday people through careful analysis of mundane artifacts — like tools and feeding utensils.
