Archaeology is the study of past human societies through their material remains. It involves excavating, analyzing, and interpreting artifacts, structures, and other physical evidence to understand how people lived, worked, and interacted with their environment. Archaeologists use scientific methods like carbon dating, stratigraphy, and DNA analysis to piece together history. The field covers everything from ancient civilizations to more recent historical periods, helping us learn about cultural development, trade, warfare, religion, and daily life.