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How does archaeology differ from paleontology?

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Archaeology Archaeologists mapping their finds at Pachacamac, Peru, an Indigenous town occupied from approximately 200 bce to 1532 ce, when it was sacked by conquistadors under the command of Francisco Pizarro.

While both archaeology and paleontology involve excavation, dating, and the interpretation of remains, they differ fundamentally in their focus and academic objectives.1

Archaeology

Archaeology is the study of the material remains of past human life and activities. Archaeologists analyze objects modified by humans—such as tools, buildings, jewelry, and burial sites—to make inferences about how people lived, their social structures, and their economies. Because it focuses on human history and culture, archaeology is often housed within departments of anthropology, history, or classics.12

Paleontology

Paleontology is the scientific study of life from the geologic past, including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Paleontologists study fossils to understand evolutionary patterns, the biology of ancient organisms, and how Earth has changed over vast periods of time. Consequently, this field is typically associated with geology or biology departments.13

In short, while archaeology seeks to reconstruct the human past, paleontology focuses on the history of all life on Earth.1