Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
____________ is the scientific study of material remains like relics and monuments of past human life.

Correct option is B

The correct option to fill in the blank is (b) Archaeology.
Explanation: Archaeology is the scientific study of human history and prehistory through the excavation and analysis of material remains such as artifacts, relics, monuments, and sites. (Hindi: पुरातत्त्व/पुरातत्व विज्ञान) It specifically deals with tangible evidence of past human life, which exactly matches the description.
Example: Advances in archaeology have revealed new insights into the Indus Valley Civilization.
Explain why other options are incorrect:
· (a) Theology: the study of the nature of God and religious belief (Hindi: धर्मशास्त्र) — not the study of material remains.
· (c) Biology: the study of living organisms (Hindi: जीवविज्ञान) — focuses on life processes, not ancient relics.
· (d) Geology: the study of the earth’s physical structure and substances (Hindi: भूविज्ञान) — deals with rocks, minerals, and earth processes, not specifically human artifacts.