'archaeolatry' originates from Greek, specifically the combining elements 'archaeo-' from Greek 'arkhaios' meaning 'ancient' and the suffix '-latry' from Greek 'latreía' meaning 'worship'.

'archaeolatry' was formed in New/Modern Latin as 'archaeolatria' (or by combining Greek elements) and was later adopted into English as 'archaeolatry'.

Initially it referred more literally to the worship of ancient gods or rites; over time it has also come to be used figuratively to describe an excessive reverence for the past or antiquity.