Which subfield of anthropology deals with human activity through material remains?

Archaeology is the subfield of anthropology that specifically focuses on understanding human activity by studying material remains, such as artifacts, structures, and remnants of past societies. This approach helps anthropologists to reconstruct and interpret the behavior, culture, and social organization of ancient peoples, providing a tangible link to human history. By analyzing these physical materials, archaeologists can uncover patterns in past human behavior, uncover technological developments, and gain insights into how societies adapted to their environments over time.

Cultural ecology, cultural anthropology, and cultural evolution, while important areas within anthropology, do not primarily focus on material remains. Cultural ecology examines the relationship between humans and their environments, often looking at how ecological factors influence cultural practices. Cultural anthropology studies contemporary cultures and their practices, beliefs, and social structures primarily through qualitative research methods like ethnography. Cultural evolution is concerned with the processes through which cultures change over time, often exploring theoretical frameworks rather than physical evidence. Thus, archaeology stands out as the discipline dedicated to analyzing the material evidence of human life.