Below are notable events in archaeology that occurred in 1883.

• In Cyprus, the three sanctuaries and the tombs are excavated for the Cyprus Museum.
• In Rome, the Palace of the Vestals (atrium of Vesta), the abode of the virgin priestesses of the goddess, the Vestal Virgins, is excavated in 1883-1884.
• In Athens, Greece, the Olympieion is excavated in 1883-1884 by the British.
• In Wales, at Cae Gwyn Cave, Tremeirchion, Denbighshire, the cave is extensively investigated from 1883-1887 by H. Hicks: artefacts found, mostly just outside the entrance, date to the middle Aurignacian period.
• In Charleston, West Virginia, the Criel Mound, a burial mound for Adena culture chieftains, is excavated in 1883-1884 under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution's Bureau of Ethnology and the supervision of Col. P.W. Norris.
• At Taplow Court in England, the Taplow burial, a burial mound of a Saxon prince presumed to be Tæppa, is excavated and a number of treasures are discovered.

• "Coba Tumulus" at Sakçagözü by Karl Humann and Felix von Luschan.
• A large Gallo-Roman mosaic pavement at Grand, Vosges.

• Ceratosaurus nasicornis (now on display at the Smithsonian) is excavated in 1883, and later named and described by Marsh (March 19, 1884).^[1]

• January 1 - Augustus Pitt Rivers takes office as Britain's first Inspector of Ancient Monuments.
• Moses Shapira presents the Shapira Scroll, a continuing source of controversy.

• June 7 - Sylvanus G. Morley, Mayanist. (died 1948)