< Greek, combining form of archaîos, equivalent to arch- (see archi-) + -aios adj. suffix
British Dictionary definitions for archaeo-
archaeo-
combining form
1.
indicating ancient or primitive time or condition: archaeology, archaeopteryx
2.
of, involving, or denoting the study of remains from archaeological sites: archaeozoology
Word Origin
from Greek arkhaio-, from arkhaios, from arkhein to begin
Word Origin and History for archaeo-
before vowels archae-, word-forming element meaning "ancient, olden, primitive, primeval, from the beginning," from Latinized form of Greek arkhaio-, comb. form of arkhaios "ancient," from arkhe "beginning" (see archon).