1878 in archaeology

Below are notable events in archaeology that occurred in 1878.

Excavations

 * Christos Stamatakis excavates the Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae, Greece (built c.1300–1200 BC).
 * Excavation of Vinovia Roman fort in the north of England begins.
 * September - Carl Humann begins excavations at Pergamon.

Publications

 * American Antiquarian founded by Rev. Stephen D. Peet.
 * Isaac Fletcher - "The Archaeology of the West Cumberland Coal Trade", Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society.

Finds

 * The Balawat Gates are discovered in Assyria by Hormuzd Rassam.
 * 31 Iguanodon skeletons are discovered in a coal mine at Bernissart, Belgium.
 * Pergamon Altar.
 * Birka female Viking warrior excavated by Hjalmar Stolpe on the Swedish island of Björkö but believed at this time to be male.
 * Bayou St. John submarine.

Other events

 * September 12 - 'Cleopatra's Needle' is erected beside the River Thames in London.

Births

 * December 29 - Félix-Marie Abel, French biblical archaeologist (d. 1953)