遺跡

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 遺跡, read いせき, means a site or traces left by people's lives and activities in the past.
• Basic usage: It is used when a site believed to be an old settlement is discovered or protected during visits.
  • 山中で古代の集落跡とみられる遺跡が見つかった。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Site versus object: 遺物
  • 遺跡 refers to a site and traces of past activity, while 遺物 refers to individual objects left there or elsewhere.