archaeo-, archeo-, archae-, arche-, archa-, archi-, -arch

A branch of archaeology devoted to studying artifacts and features on sites which are in danger of being damaged, or destroyed, by development in the form of the construction of dams, buildings, highways, etc.

The rescue, or salvage, archaeologist, is concerned with the retrieval of as much information as possible about the archaeological sites before they are damaged or destroyed.

Salvage archaeology includes the location, recording (usually through excavation), and collection of archaeological data from a site in advance of highway construction, drainage projects, or urban development. In the U.S., the first major program of salvage archaeology was undertaken in the 1930s, ahead of the construction and dam building done by the Tennessee Valley authority.

A proto-science that exists so far mainly in science fiction works, especially those that have to do with space exploration, such as Star Trek.

It is primarily concerned with the physical remains of alien cultures which might be found on planets which have been inhabited or visited by extraterrestrials.

1. Originating in a dry habitat; such as, a rocky shore, cliff, or desert.
2. Developing in dry places; said of plant succession (development of a plant community from its initial stage to its final stage).