archaeo-

Also archae‑ (In the US, usually archeo- and arche-.)

Ancient or prehistoric times.

Greek arkhaios, ancient.

Archaeology is the scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and study of physical remains. Several terms link another area of study to archaeology: archaeobotany is the study of botanical remains in archaeology; archaeometry is the application of scientific techniques to the dating of archaeological remains; archaeoastronomy is the investigation of the astronomical knowledge of prehistoric cultures.

The archaea (singular archaean) are ancient organisms intermediate between the bacteria and eukaryotes (another name for the group is archaebacteria, now thought to be inaccurate). Archaeomagnetism is fossil magnetism in a rock laid down when it first cooled, which can be used to date it and its surroundings. Archaeopteryx (Greek pterux, wing) is the oldest known fossil bird, from the late Jurassic period.