1866 in archaeology

Below are notable events in archaeology that occurred in 1866.

Explorations

 * Architect Thomas Drew draws attention to the significance of St. Audoen's Church, Dublin, Ireland.

Excavations

 * Discovery and first excavation of Fertőrákos mithraeum.

Publications

 * Posthumous publication by Édouard Lartet of Henry Christy's Reliquiae Aquitanicae, being contributions to the archaeology and palaeontology of Perigord and the adjacent provinces of southern France commences.

Finds

 * February 26 - The Calaveras Skull is discovered in California. Purported to be evidence of humans in North America during the Pliocene epoch, it turns out to be a hoax.
 * The prehistoric sculpture Swimming Reindeer is found in France.
 * The first copy of the Decree of Canopus is found at Tanis.

Births

 * May 23 - Edgar J. Banks, American antiquarian (d. 1945).
 * June 26 - George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, British Egyptological excavation sponsor (d. 1923).