Archaeoseismology is the study of ancient earthquakes by analysis of archaeological sites before Robert Mallet's protomodern seismology in the mid-19th century.
Such analyses reveal information about seismic events that was not historically recorded before the advent of seismometers in the late 19th century.
[1] In 1991, an international conference in Athens marked the beginning of modern research in the field of archaeoseismology, described as a "study of ancient earthquakes, and their social, cultural, historical and natural effects".
[2] Earthquakes in the distant past may provide important information for a regional seismic risk assessment.
Thus research in archaeological sites is needed to try to identify damage and destruction from ancient earthquakes.