The term for the study of ancient cultures through their artifacts is known as archaeology. Archaeologists investigate historical societies by examining material remains such as tools, pottery, bones, and structures left behind by previous civilizations. This scientific discipline involves fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and sometimes the use of advanced technologies like remote sensing and carbon dating. By studying these artifacts, archaeologists can reconstruct past human behaviors, social organizations, and cultural practices, providing insights into how ancient peoples lived and interacted with their environments and each other.