It is the study of ancient humans, as found in fossil hominid evidence such as petrifacted bones and footprints.
ɪɾ ɪz ðə stˈʌdi ʌv ˈeɪntʃənt hjˈuːmənz, æz fˈaʊnd ɪn fˈɑːsəl hˈɑːmɪnˌɪd ˈɛvɪdəns sˈʌtʃ ɐz pˈɛtɹɪfˌæktᵻd bˈoʊnz ænd fˈʊtpɹɪnts.