The term for the study of ancient human cultures through their artifacts is called archaeology. Archaeologists investigate material remains such as tools, pottery, structures, and other cultural artifacts that reveal insights into past human behavior, social organization, and technological development. By excavating sites where ancient civilizations once flourished, archaeologists reconstruct historical narratives and understand how early humans adapted to their environments. This field combines techniques from various disciplines, including anthropology, history, and geology, to build a comprehensive picture of humanity's cultural evolution and to explore the relationships between societies and their material environments.