Archaeology or archeology is the study of human activity through the
recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists
of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural
landscapes. Archaeology can be considered both a social science and a branch
of the humanities. It is usually considered an independent academic
discipline, but may also be classified as part of anthropology (in North
America – the four-field approach), history or geography.
Archaeologists study human prehistory and history, from the development of the
first stone tools at Lomekwi in East Africa 3.3 million years ago up until
recent decades. Archaeology is distinct from palaeontology, which is the study
of fossil remains.