Meaning: The study of human history through excavation of sites and artifacts.
Hindi: पुरातत्व विज्ञान
Synonyms: excavation study, antiquarianism, paleontology (related), archeology, historical study
Asked in: SSC Steno 2026 T-1 · SSC CGL 2025 T-1 · SSC CGL 2024 T-1 · SSC CHSL 2020 T-1
archaeology in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC CGL 2024 T-1 One Word Substitution
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
The study of ancient things such as art, graves, ruins etc.Answer & explanation
Answer: B) Archaeology
The correct answer is: b
"Archaeology" is the correct term as it specifically pertains to the study of ancient human-made artifacts, sites, and cultures.
Meteorology: This is the study of weather and atmospheric conditions.
Astrology: This is the study of the movements and relative positions of celestial bodies interpreted as having an influence on human affairs and natural phenomena.
Geology: This is the study of the Earth's physical structure, history, and processes. - SSC CGL 2025 T-1 One Word Substitution
Choose the correct one-word substitution for the words in italics.
The professor specialized in the 'study of ancient societies'.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) Archaeology
Archaeology is the study of ancient societies and human cultures through material remains.
Anthropology is broader (study of humans).
Sociology studies modern societies.
Paleontology studies fossils.
Hence, Archaeology is correct. - SSC Steno 2026 T-1 One Word Substitution
Choose the one word substitute for the below sentence.
Anjali dedicated her career to exploring the branch of anthropology that investigates the lives of prehistoric people.Answer & explanation
Answer: D) Archaeology
Meaning: archaeology = the study of past human life through excavated sites, tools, bones and other remains *(पुरातत्त्व विज्ञान)*.
The stem asks for the branch that studies `the lives of prehistoric people`.
Prehistoric people left no written records, so we learn about them only from what they left in the ground.
That branch is archaeology.
Why the others are wrong.
• linguistic anthropology = the study of how language shapes social life *(भाषाई मानव विज्ञान)* — prehistoric people left no language to study.
• medical anthropology = the study of health, illness and healing across cultures *(चिकित्सा मानव विज्ञान)*.
• cultural anthropology = the study of living cultures, their customs and bel - SSC Steno 2026 T-1 One Word Substitution
Choose the correct one-word substitution for the words in italics:
The professor specialized in the study of ancient societies.Answer & explanation
Answer: C) Archaeology
Meaning: archaeology = the study of ancient human societies through what they left behind — ruins, tools, pottery, bones *(पुरातत्वविज्ञान)*.
Rule: split an *-logy* word at its Greek root. The suffix -logy (*logia*) = "the study of", and the first half names what is studied.
So *study of* → -logy, and *ancient* → archaeo- (Greek *arkhaios*, "old").
Put them together: archaeo + logy.
Example: *The archaeologists dug up a 4,000-year-old Harappan town.*
The italicised phrase is *study of ancient societies*, which is the dictionary definition of archaeology word for word.
So the sentence becomes *The professor specialized in* archaeology*.*
Why the others are wrong.
• anthropology = the study of
Examples
- “She studied archaeology to learn about ancient civilizations.”
archaeology – questions
What is the meaning of archaeology in Hindi?
archaeology means “पुरातत्व विज्ञान” in Hindi. In English: The study of human history through excavation of sites and artifacts.
What are the synonyms of archaeology?
Synonyms of archaeology: excavation study, antiquarianism, paleontology (related), archeology, historical study.
Has archaeology been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – archaeology has been asked 5 times in SSC exams: SSC Steno 2026 T-1, SSC CGL 2025 T-1, SSC CGL 2024 T-1, SSC CHSL 2020 T-1.