Below are notable events in archaeology that occurred in 1840.

• John Lloyd Stephens and Frederick Catherwood explore ruins of the Maya civilization including Quiriguá, Q'umarkaj, Palenque, and Uxmal.

• Charles Roach Smith - Collectanea Antiqua, vol. 1.

• Cuerdale Hoard discovered by stoneworkers in Lancashire, England.

• February 7 - Charles Warren, British Biblical archaeologist (d. 1927)
• March 26 - George Smith, British Assyriologist (d. 1876)^[1]
• August 6 - Adolph Francis Alphonse Bandelier, Swiss-born New World archaeologist (d. 1914)

• List of years in archaeology
• 1839 in archaeology
• 1841 in archaeology