The year 1812 in archaeology involved some significant events.

• Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt discovers Petra.

• Colosseum, Rome: The arena substructure is partly excavated during 1810–1814.

• Sir Richard Colt Hoare - The Ancient History of South Wiltshire.

• American Antiquarian Society is founded in Massachusetts by Isaiah Thomas.

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• July 14 - Christian Gottlob Heyne, German classicist (b. 1729)
• December 22 - Pierre Henri Larcher, French classicist (b. 1726)

• Roman Forum - excavations.