Last updated: September 23rd, 2025 at 3:21 pm · Est. Reading Time: < 1 minute
Pertaining to the Study of Human History Through Material Remains
Definition
The term archaeological refers to anything related to archaeology, the scientific study of past human societies through the recovery and analysis of material remains, such as artifacts, structures, burials, tools, pottery, and architecture. The archaeological record serves as a vital source of historical information, especially for periods and cultures with little or no written documentation. 1
Methods and Scope
Archaeological work includes surveying, excavation, dating techniques such as radiocarbon dating, and laboratory analysis, often supported by interdisciplinary approaches that draw on anthropology, history, geology, and environmental science to reconstruct past lifeways. The scope of archaeology spans various specializations, including prehistoric archaeology (before writing), historical archaeology (alongside written records), classical archaeology (such as Greece and Rome), as well as Islamic archaeology, Biblical archaeology, and industrial archaeology, among others. 2
Archaeological Arabia
In the Arabian Peninsula, archaeological discoveries—such as temple ruins, inscriptions, rock art, fortresses, and water systems—have been key to understanding ancient civilizations like Sabaʾ, Ḥimyar, Dedan, Thamūd, and early Islamic settlements. Sites like Maʾrib, Ṣaʿfa, and Qaryat al-Fāw have revealed layers of occupation from prehistory to late antiquity. 3
Further Reading
https://historyofislam.org/sources-of-advent-of-islam
End Notes
- Paul Bahn, The Cambridge Illustrated History of Archaeology (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996), pp. 12–19.
- Colin Renfrew and Paul Bahn, Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice, 7th ed. (Thames & Hudson, 2016).
- Alessandro de Maigret, Arabia Felix: An Exploration of the Archaeological History of Yemen (London: Stacey International, 2002).