Artifact

An artifact is a physical object made or modified by human beings that provides evidence of past human activity or culture. Artifacts can range from tools, weapons, and other utilitarian objects, to decorative items, religious artifacts, and works of art. In archaeology, artifacts are carefully studied to help reconstruct the cultural, social, and economic aspects of past societies. Artifacts can also be the products of natural processes that have been shaped or modified by humans, such as fossils or geological specimens.